The American journal of emergency medicine
-
The objective of this study was to determine which airway maneuvers cause the least cervical spine movement. A controlled laboratory investigation was performed in a radiologic suite, using eight human traumatic arrest victims who were studied within 40 minutes of death. All subjects were ventilated by mask and intubated orally, over a lighted oral stylet and flexible laryngoscope, and nasally. ⋯ Ventilation by mask caused more cervical spine displacement than the other procedures studied (ANOVA: F = 9.298; P = .00004). It was concluded that mask ventilation moves the cervical spine more than any commonly used method of endotracheal intubation. Physicians should choose the intubation technique with which they have the greatest experience and skill.