Mh. Mercer et Da. Gabbott, INSERTION OF THE COMBITUBE AIRWAY WITH THE CERVICAL-SPINE IMMOBILIZEDIN A RIGID CERVICAL COLLAR, Anaesthesia, 53(10), 1998, pp. 971-974
The Combitube is a twin lumen device designed to establish the airway
after blind insertion. Under general anaesthesia a rigid cervical coll
ar was used to immobilise the neck in 15 ASA 1 and 2 patients. Inserti
on of the Combitube airway was then attempted. In 10/15 (66%) patients
, blind insertion was not possible. In 5/15 (33%) successful blind ins
ertions the Combitube entered the oesophagus on each occasion. In 8/10
of the failures, re-insertion of the Combitube was attempted with the
aid of a Macintosh laryngoscope. In 6/8 cases (75%) satisfactory plac
ement was then possible with the Combitube again entering the oesophag
us on each occasion. Ventilation was satisfactory in all patients when
insertion was successful. Blood staining of the Combitube was present
in 7/15 (47%) patients. The Combitube cannot be recommended for use i
n patients whose necks are immobilised in rigid cervical collars.