Emergency Front of Neck Surgical Airway in the Emergency Department: Lessons Learnt

Abstract

Securing the airway is a fundamental principle in the resuscitation of critically ill patients, as it directly influences the patient's ability to breathe and sustain life. Various national and international guidelines emphasise that airway management should take precedence over both breathing and circulation in a single-rescuer scenario, underscoring the critical nature of this step-in emergency care. In this article, it presents a case involving a patient who faced a challenging airway scenario. Despite attempts at conventional intubation, including video-assisted intubation and bronchoscopy, these methods failed to secure the airway. This prompted the need to pursue a more advanced, interventional approach: the surgical airway. This procedure, while more invasive, proved essential for ensuring the patient’s survival. Through this case, it aims to highlight the importance of preparedness and flexibility in airway management, particularly in high-risk environments like the emergency department. The lessons learned from this scenario reinforce the need for healthcare providers to be well-trained in both basic and advanced airway management techniques. Additionally, it underscores the significance of timely decision-making and the ability to adapt when standard methods are not effective. By sharing this case, that hope to contribute to a broader understanding of the critical role that surgical airways can play in emergency care and enhance the collective knowledge and preparedness of emergency medical teams.