INITIAL STABILIZATION
1. Airway
- have a difficult airway tray at hand
In the emergency Department setting manual man oeuvres (GE Heimlich man oeuvre) to relieve obstruction are not indicated as more definitive measures exist.
Initially, use basic airway opening measures and attempt ventilation via bag valve mask attached to oxygen
Then attempt indirect clouds cape and removal of obstructing agent with a Ma gill's forceps or suction
If unable to remove the obstruction mechanically GE when due to swelling, proceed to emergency surgical airway IE trans tracheal jet insulation or hypothyroidism
Then proceed as per "Specific Treatment" below.
Encourage self posturing GE in epiglottis the patient will prefer to sit upright and lean forwards
Unless there is an obviously visible foreign body and the patient is cooperative DO NOT perform any airway clearing man oeuvres, such as the Heimlich man oeuvre. This may convert a partial obstruction into a complete one.
No immediate intervention is required
Then, for partial obstruction or potential obstruction :
2. Breathing
- Measure respiratory rate. If inadequate, assist ventilation with bag valve mask attached to oxygen.
- Measure SA O2. If < 95% and not requiring ventilation, administer high flow oxygen by mask.
3. Circulation
In partial obstruction great care must be taken to avoid agitating the patient and precipitating a complete obstruction GE measuring the PB or inserting a annular in a child with epiglottis may cause agitation and precipitate a complete airway obstruction.
4. Disability
Record a G CS and pupil response. Consider incubation (if this has not already occurred), if G CS is 8 or less to protect the airway.
5. Monitor
ECG, SA O2, PB (if this will not agitate the patient)
6. Summon
- a senior doctor with airway skills.
DIRECTED HISTORY AND EXAMINATION
Ask About :
Event
- precipitating factors, likelihood of foreign body aspiration
Symptoms
- of possible precipitants GE epiglottis, croup
Past History
- drug allergies
- medications
- medical problems
Look For :
- stride, hypnosis
- signs suggestive of particular clinical syndromes GE epiglottis, croup, angina-o oedema
Measure :
- reassess SA O2, respiratory rate, level of consciousness
Tests
- in the airway control phase there is no test of any use and tests may delay definitive management and worsen the condition.
SPECIFIC TREATMENT
If partial obstruction, potential obstruction or complete obstruction with temporary surgical airway in place :
1. Notify anesthetist / NET surgeon or local equivalents
2. Notify the operating heater
3. When all resources are assembled transfer to the operating heaters accompanied by skilled staff, oxygen, suction, bag valve mask system, difficult incubation tray and surgical airway setup.
DISPOSITION
Depends on the cause, but in most cases would require admission to an Intensive Care Unit after definitive treatment in the operating heater.
Airway must be stabilize before any inter-hospital transfer is attempted
IMPORTANT POINTS
1. Heimlich man oeuvre is generally not indicated in the Emergency Department setting.
2. If partial airway obstruction is present then intervention in the Emergency Department should be minimal and the patient should be transferred to the operating theater accompanied by appropriate staff and equipment.
3. Do not attempt to remove penetrating foreign bodies of the neck in the Emergency Department.