[Video laryngoscopic tracheal intubation under sedation]

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Critical Care Medicine
• Surgical Procedures

Background:

• Patients with hip fractures may present with comorbidities complicating airway management.
• Cervical spine immobilization, often necessary in trauma patients, can significantly increase the difficulty of tracheal intubation.
• Traditional awake fiber optic intubation is a standard but can be time-consuming and uncomfortable for patients.

Observation:

• A patient with a hip fracture presented with indicators of a potentially difficult airway, exacerbated by cervical spine immobilization.
• Video laryngoscopy was employed for tracheal intubation while the patient was under sedation.

Findings:

• Successful tracheal intubation was achieved using video laryngoscopy under sedation.
• This technique provided an alternative to traditional awake fiber optic flexible intubation in this specific clinical scenario.

Implications:

• Video laryngoscopy under sedation may be a valuable option for airway management in select patients with hip fractures and cervical spine issues.
• This case highlights the adaptability of airway management strategies in complex orthopedic emergencies.