When there is suspected spinal injury, which airway maneuver is preferred?

When there is suspected spinal injury, which airway maneuver is preferred?

• A. Head-tilt chin lift
• B. Modified Jaw thrust
• C. Oropharyngeal airway insertion
• D. Nasopharyngeal airway insertion

Answer: (B)

When a spinal injury is suspected, protecting the neck while opening the airway is essential. The modified jaw-thrust accomplishes this by moving the mandible forward to lift the tongue away from the airway, all with the head kept in a neutral position and the spine stabilized. This opens the airway without extending the neck, reducing the risk of exacerbating a cervical injury. In contrast, a head-tilt chin-lift requires extending the neck, which can worsen spinal injury. Airway adjuncts like an oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal airway can help, but their use in trauma is less ideal because they may still involve head or neck movement and depend on the patient’s level of consciousness and anatomy. The jaw-thrust with inline stabilization provides the safest balance of airway patency and spinal protection in this scenario.

When a spinal injury is suspected, protecting the neck while opening the airway is essential. The modified jaw-thrust accomplishes this by moving the mandible forward to lift the tongue away from the airway, all with the head kept in a neutral position and the spine stabilized. This opens the airway without extending the neck, reducing the risk of exacerbating a cervical injury.

In contrast, a head-tilt chin-lift requires extending the neck, which can worsen spinal injury. Airway adjuncts like an oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal airway can help, but their use in trauma is less ideal because they may still involve head or neck movement and depend on the patient’s level of consciousness and anatomy. The jaw-thrust with inline stabilization provides the safest balance of airway patency and spinal protection in this scenario.