Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 21, 2026

Methods for Detecting Cough and Airway Inflammation in Mice
Published on: August 2, 2024
Open Airway Surgery in a Paraplegic: The Importance of an Adequate Cough
Shaunak N Amin1, Jennifer P Rodney2,3, Alexander Gelbard2,3
1Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
Objectives:
To describe a case of open airway surgery with postoperative respiratory complications in a paraplegic woman and to review the unique respiratory physiology seen in patients with a history of cervical or thoracic spinal cord injury (SCI).
Methods:
Case report and literature review.
Results:
We describe the case of a 25-year-old paraplegic who developed tracheal stenosis after tracheotomy, eventually requiring tracheal resection and re-anastomosis. Her postoperative course was complicated by mucus plugging and severe atelectasis, necessitating reintubation. After extubation, the patient reported difficulty expectorating secretions ever since her SCI, requiring manual abdominal pressure from her family members to assist her when she needed to cough.
Conclusion:
This first report of cricotracheal resection in a patient with paraplegia following SCI highlights the importance of an adequate cough and demonstrates the unique respiratory management necessary for patients with SCI.
Related Concept Videos
Suctioning the Oropharyngeal Airway
After assembling the equipment, the nurse should practice hand hygiene and don appropriate PPE according to infection control guidelines to avoid the...
Suctioning the Nasopharyngeal Airway
Equipment Required
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation II: ACLS Airway Management
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation V: Advanced Airway Management Techniques
Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles
Introduction
The initial evaluation of a patient's respiratory system...

