Use of the King LT for emergency airway management

Sobia F Khaja; Matthew J Provenzano; Kristi E Chang

doi:10.1001/archoto.2010.172

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Use of the King LT for emergency airway management

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Use of the King LT for emergency airway management

Sobia F Khaja, Matthew J Provenzano and Kristi E Chang

Archives of otolaryngology--head & neck surgery, Vol.136(10), pp.979-982

10/2010

DOI: 10.1001/archoto.2010.172

PMID: 20956743

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https://doi.org/10.1001/archoto.2010.172View

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Abstract

To discuss the role of the King LT reusable supraglottic airway in emergency airway management. Retrospective case series review. Tertiary academic medical facility. We studied patients who presented to the emergency trauma center having undergone intubation at an outside facility or at the scene of the incident. The otolaryngology service was consulted for definitive management of the airway. Airway evaluation and management once the King LT has been placed. Six patients with known prehospitalization use of the King LT presented to the emergency trauma center and subsequently required emergency tracheostomy for establishment of a secure airway. Fiberoptic and/or direct laryngoscopic evaluation performed with the tube in place failed to reveal whether safe oral endotracheal intubation could be performed because of visualization problems. Examination after tracheostomy and removal of the King LT revealed that in 2 patients, orotracheal intubation would have been difficult or impossible, whereas another 4 patients could have been intubated. One patient had prehospitalization placement of a King LT, which resulted in subcutaneous emphysema because of placement within the mediastinum. The patient was able to be successfully intubated and did not require tracheostomy. The King LT offers benefits in emergency situations, but evaluation of the airway is challenging and often necessitates tracheostomy for establishment of a safe and secure airway. Even if tracheostomy is not required, serious complications may occur.

Intubation - instrumentation

Humans

Middle Aged

Aged, 80 and over

Airway Obstruction - prevention & control

Female

Male

Tracheostomy

Aged

Retrospective Studies

Emergency Medical Services

Details

Title: Subtitle: Use of the King LT for emergency airway management
Creators: Sobia F Khaja - Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
Matthew J Provenzano
Kristi E Chang
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Archives of otolaryngology--head & neck surgery, Vol.136(10), pp.979-982
DOI: 10.1001/archoto.2010.172
PMID: 20956743
NLM abbreviation: Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg
ISSN: 0886-4470
eISSN: 1538-361X
Publisher: American Medical Association; United States
Language: English
Date published: 10/2010
Academic Unit: Radiation Oncology; Otolaryngology
Record Identifier: 9984006360802771

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