Managing the Transected Airway
A Summary by Georgie Harris
The management of the transected airway is frightening because it is a rare airway emergency and one that does not fit the usual plan A,B,C airway management algorithms. An approach is presented which considers two principal anatomical distinctions for injuries both above and below the cricoid cartilage.
Secondly, the mechanism of injury is classified according to whether it is either penetrating or blunt trauma. Finally the airway management urgency is described according to either an immediate or semi-urgent approach being required.
These three approaches, the location of the injury relative to the cricoid, the mechanism of the injury and thirdly, the urgency of the airway intervention required are then applied together to provide a guide to management of the transected airway.
