Use Of Combitube In Car Accident Victims
G Botiny, Z Chitou
Citation
G Botiny, Z Chitou. Use Of Combitube In Car Accident Victims. The Internet Journal of Rescue and Disaster Medicine. 2001 Volume 3 Number 1.
Abstract
Goal of Study
It is known that tracheal intubation is performed with the patient in supine position. In frontal and fronto-lateral collision the patient may be trapped into the car and making the intubation impossible. These patients need immediate ventilatory and cardiovascular support. As nasotracheal intubation is contraindicated in bone fractures at the base of the skull and because of high risk for rhinorrhagia, a Combitube placed in a blinded manner offers adequate secure tracheal ventilation diminishing the risk from esophageal regurgitation.
Materials and Method
Five(5) patients with severe head trauma injuries due to serious car accident were intubated using a Combitube. Two(2) of the victims had Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS) 7, one had satisfactory level of consciousness but rapidly(10 minutes) showed a regression in vital signs while two other cases had a GCS 3. Normal and abnormal chest wall movements, capillary circulation with a pulse oximeter and presents of pulse in radial artery were recorded, as well as cardiorespiratory and central nervous system status evaluation in subsequent measurements. All patients were receiving hypertonic solution of NaCl 7.5% and Combitube placement was achieved after a 3 min time of crystalloid infusion, while patients were oxygenated with 100% O2.
Results
All patients (2) with GCS 3 died within the time of their transport to the hospital, even though they were submitted to ACLS. Other 3 patients showed hemodynamic stability and adequate ventilation with good survival outcome.
Conclusion
The use of Combitube in trapped car accident victims, as a blind intubating technique, offers secured support of ventilatory track in cases where access of trachea to perform intubation is almost impossible.
