Kathmandu University medical journal (KUMJ)
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Kathmandu Univ Med J (KUMJ) · Oct 2018
Randomized Controlled TrialAwake Fiberoptic Intubation in Cervical Spine Injury: A Comparison between Atomized Local Anesthesia versus Airway Nerve Blocks.
Background In cooperative patients with cervical spine injury, awake fiberoptic intubation is an excellent option for elective and semi urgent situations. It allows documentation of neurologic examination before and after intubation and surgical positioning. We have compared anesthesia of airway by nerve block and the local anesthesia atomizer undergoing awake fiberoptic intubation in cervical spine injury patients, in terms of the intubation time and discomfort. ⋯ Ease of intubation and patient comfort were significantly better in nerve block group. Demographic and hemodynamic parameters were comparable in the two groups. Conclusion The nerve blocks (bilateral superior laryngeal and transtracheal recurrent laryngeal) provides adequate airway anesthesia, lesser patient discomfort, and faster intubation to aid in awake fiberoptic intubation in patients with anticipated difficult airway as compared to topical anesthesia using atomizer.