Efficacy of endotracheal intubation in helicopter cabin vs. ground: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Pre-hospital endotracheal intubation (ETI) is a sophisticated procedure with a comparatively high failure rate. Especially, ETI in confined spaces may result in higher difficulty, longer times, and a higher failure rate. This study analyses if Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) intubation (time-to) success are influenced by noise, light, and restricted space in comparison to ground intubation. Available literature reporting these parameters was very limited, thus the reported differences between ETI in helicopter vs. ground by confronting parameters such as time to secure airway, first pass success rate and Cormack-Lehane Score were analysed. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted using PUBMED, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Ovid on October 15th, 2022. The database search provided 2322 studies and 6 studies met inclusion and quality criteria. The research was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42022361793). RESULTS: A total of six studies were selected and analysed as part of the systematic review and meta-analysis. The first pass success rate of ETI was more likely to fail in the helicopter setting as compared to the ground (82,4% vs. 87,3%), but the final success rate was similar between the two settings (96,8% vs. 97,8%). The success rate of intubation in literature was reported higher in physician-staffed HEMS than in paramedic-staffed HEMS. The impact of aircraft type and location inside the vehicle on intubation success rates was inconclusive across studies. The meta-analysis revealed inconsistent results for the mean duration of intubation, with one study reporting shorter intubation times in helicopters (13,0s vs.15,5s), another reporting no significant differences (16,5s vs. 16,8s), and a third reporting longer intubation times in helicopters (16,1s vs. 15,0s). CONCLUSION: Further research is needed to assess the impact of environmental factors on the quality of ETI on HEMS. While the success rate of endotracheal intubation in helicopters vs. on the ground is not significantly different, the duration and time to secure the airway, and Cormack-Lehane Score may be influenced by environmental factors. However, the limited number of studies reporting on these factors highlights the need for further research in this area.

Timing of intubation of pediatric hematopoietic cell transplant patients: an international survey.

Introduction: Retrospective data suggest that pediatric hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) patients placed on non-invasive ventilation (NIV) prior to intubation have increased risk of mortality compared to patients who are intubated earlier in their course. The HCT-CI subgroup of the PALISI Network set out to gain a better understanding of factors that influence clinician's decisions surrounding timing of intubation of pediatric HCT patients. Methods: We validated and distributed a brief survey exploring potential factors that may influence clinician's decisions around timing of intubation of pediatric HCT patients with acute lung injury (ALI). Results: One hundred and four of the 869 PALISI Network's members responded to the survey; 97 of these respondents acknowledged caring for HCT patients and were offered the remainder of the survey. The majority of respondents were PICU physicians (96%), with a small number of Advanced Practice Providers and HCT physicians. As expected, poor prognosis categories were perceived as a factors that delay timing to intubation whereas need for invasive procedures was perceived as a factor shortening timing to intubation. Concerns for oxygen toxicity or NIV-associated lung injury were not believed to influence timing of intubation. Discussion: Our survey indicates increased risk of ALI from prolonged NIV and oxygen toxicity in HCT patients are not a concern for most clinicians. Further education of pediatric ICU clinicians around these risk factors could lead to improvement in outcomes and demands further study. Additionally, clinicians identified concerns for the patient's poor prognosis as a common reason for delayed intubation.

A Case of Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis With Adenoid Hypertrophy and Associated Airway Challenges.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis is a form of TMJ condition that causes mouth opening limitation, ranging from partial reduction to total immobilization of the jaw. Bony and fibrous ankylosis is most commonly caused by trauma, although it can also happen as a result of surgery, local or systemic infections, or systemic diseases. Childhood TMJ produces facial deformities, which increase with growth and have a major detrimental impact on the patient's psychological development. Each patient with TMJ ankylosis must have a history, physical examination, and radiographic examination in order to determine a definitive diagnosis, severity, involvement of surrounding tissues, and, ultimately, treatment planning. Technical challenges and a high recurrence rate make treating TMJ ankylosis challenging. Intubating a young child with TMJ ankylosis is a difficult job, which is exacerbated by limited mouth opening. This case report describes a five-year-old boy who reported an inability to open his mouth, diagnosed as TMJ ankylosis, and managed in the absence of an appropriately sized tracheostomy tube.

Comparison of Modified Mallampati Classification in Supine and Sitting Positions to Predict Difficult Tracheal Intubation in Diabetic Patients.

Background: Airway management of patients with long-standing diabetes poses a major challenge for anaesthesiologists due to stiff joint syndrome affecting the atlanto-occipital joint. In certain cases requiring immobilization, the Mallampati test must often be performed in the supine position for obvious reasons. Objectives: Hence, we determined the diagnostic precision (sensitivity and specificity) of the modified Mallampati test in sitting and supine positions among the diabetic population in predicting difficult tracheal intubation. Methods: A single-center prospective observational study on adult diabetic patients undergoing general anesthesia and orotracheal intubation was carried out. An observer recorded the modified Mallampati in the sitting posture during the pre-anesthetic examination. The Mallampati in the supine position was determined while in the operating room, and the difficulty of intubation was noted, and diagnostic precision was calculated. The main objective was to predict a difficult airway by calculating the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value. Results: Out of the 150 participants, Mallampati grading in a sitting position was correctly able to identify 42.5% of difficult intubation cases, whereas it was 97.5% with Mallampati in the supine position. Mallampati grading in the sitting position was able to correctly identify 89.1% of easy intubation cases, which was 63.6% with Mallampati in the supine position. The correlation of Mallampati in the supine position with CL grading was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Among diabetic patients, the modified Mallampati test in the supine position can be considered a more accurate and sensitive predictor of difficult intubation than the sitting posture.

Immediate Implant Placement with Immediate Restorations after Dental Avulsions Due to Endotracheal Intubation in a Patient with Severe Chronic Periodontal Disease.

We report the case of a 61-year-old woman who was referred to the Oral Surgery and Implantology Unit of the University Hospitals of Geneva to take care of edentulous sites after the dental avulsions of teeth 11 and 21 following traumatic shock due to endotracheal intubation under general anesthesia. The dental history revealed that the patient had a history of generalized chronic periodontitis that had been treated several years earlier. The treatment consisted, for the first time to our knowledge, of the immediate insertion of implants at sites 11 and 21 with simultaneous bone augmentation in a single surgical procedure and immediate restorations.

Endotracheal Intubation Outside the Operating Room: Year in Review 2023.

Endotracheal intubation is a common lifesaving procedure that often is performed outside the operating room in a variety of clinical scenarios. Providers who perform intubation outside the operating room have variable degrees of training, skill development, and experience. A large number of studies were published in 2023 on the topic of intubations outside the operating room across a wide variety of settings and patient populations. Here, we review relevant papers on this topic published in 2023.

Comparison of McCoy, Macintosh, and Truview laryngoscope for bougie-aided naso-tracheal intubation: A randomized controlled study.

Background: Video laryngoscopes are commonly used along with Macintosh and McCoy laryngoscopes for Nasotracheal intubation (NTI). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of McCoy, Macintosh, and Truview laryngoscopes during bougie-aided NTI with respect to intubation time, success rate, and hemodynamic changes during the procedure. Methods: Forty-five American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I-II adult patients, with Mallampati grade 1-4, requiring NTI, were enrolled after taking written informed consent. ASA III/IV, restricted mouth opening, and body mass index >30 were excluded from the study. Patients were randomly allocated to intubate with one of the three laryngoscopes (McCoy, Macintosh, and Truview) and the anesthesiologists were well experienced with all of them. The primary outcome was intubation time and secondary outcomes included first attempt success rate, external laryngeal manipulation, Cormack-Lehane (CL) grade, and hemodynamic responses. Results: The intubation time of McCoy, Macintosh, and Truview, was 86.87 ± 15.92, 82.87 ± 16.46, and 79.93 ± 14.53 (mean ± standard deviation) seconds, respectively, which is comparable with Truview being the shortest. CL grade 1 was obtained more in the Truview group (53.3%) compared to the other two groups, while CL grade 3 was obtained in 20% each in McCoy and Macintosh groups. Conclusions: McCoy, Macintosh, and Truview laryngoscopes were comparable in performance during bougie-aided NTI, with Truview having the shortest intubation time and better visualization.

Emergency front-of-neck access in cardiac arrest: A scoping review.

Background: Airway management is a core component of the treatment of cardiac arrest. Where a rescuer cannot establish a patent airway to provide oxygenation and ventilation using standard basic and advanced airway techniques, there may be a need to consider emergency front-of-neck airway access (eFONA, e.g., cricothyroidotomy), but there is limited evidence to inform this approach. Objectives: This scoping review aims to identify the evidence for the use of eFONA techniques in patients with cardiac arrest. Methods: In November 2023, we searched Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Central to identify studies on eFONA in adults. We included randomised controlled trials, non-randomised studies, and case series with at least five cases that described any use of eFONA. We extracted data, including study setting, population characteristics, intervention characteristics, and outcomes. Our analysis focused on four key areas: incidence of eFONA, eFONA success rates, clinical outcomes, and complications. Results: The search identified 21,565 papers, of which 18,934 remained after de-duplication. After screening, we included 69 studies (53 reported incidence, 40 reported success rate, 38 reported clinical outcomes; 36 studies reported complications). We identified only one randomised controlled trial. Across studies, there was a total of 4,457 eFONA attempts, with a median of 31 attempts (interquartile range 16-56.5) per study. There was marked heterogeneity across studies that precluded any pooling of data. There were no studies that included only patients in cardiac arrest. Conclusion: The available evidence for eFONA is extremely heterogeneous, with no studies specifically focusing on its use in adults with cardiac arrest.

Novel Cost-Effective Model for Training Post-intubation Endotracheal Tube Placement Confirmation.

Intubation in emergency settings demands rapid confirmation of endotracheal tube (ETT) placement for establishing a definitive airway. Current methods, including capnography and auscultation, have limitations. This study introduces a cost-effective and easily accessible training model for confirming ETT placement using ultrasound, aiming to improve training and patient outcomes. We developed a gelatin and psyllium-based model that simulates adult ETT intubation, offering an alternative to costly cadaveric models. The model's construction is described, with materials costing approximately $7.34 per unit. Preliminary results show promise in simulating tracheal and esophageal intubation scenarios. This novel model provides an ethical and economical solution for training healthcare professionals in the ultrasound confirmation of ETT placement, paving the way for further validation and adoption in medical education.

Role of preoperative zinc, magnesium and budesonide gargles in Postoperative Sore Throat (POST) - a randomised control trial.

BACKGROUND: Post-operative sore throat (POST) has an incidence ranging from 21 to 80%. To prevent the development of POST, several pharmacological measures have been tried. Aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of preoperative zinc, magnesium and budesonide gargles in reducing the incidence and severity of POST in patients who underwent endotracheal intubation for elective surgeries. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled equivalence trial in 180 patients admitted for elective surgical procedures under general anaesthesia. Patients were randomised into three groups; group Z received 40 mg Zinc, group M received 250 mg Magnesium Sulphate and group B received 200 µg Budesonide in the form of 30 ml tasteless and colourless gargle solutions. Sore throat assessment and haemodynamic recording was done postoperatively at immediate recovery (0 h) and 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24 h post-operatively. POST was graded on a four-point scale (0-3). RESULTS: POST score was comparable at all recorded time points i.e. 0,2,4,6,8,12 and 24 h. Maximum incidence was seen at 8 h in group B (33.3%) and the minimum incidence was at 24 h in group Z (10%) (p > 0.05). It was found that the incidence of POST was more in the surgeries lasting longer than 2 h in all groups. This difference was found to be statistically significant in Groups M and B. The incidence of POST was found to be comparable between laparoscopic and open procedures. CONCLUSION: Magnesium, zinc and budesonide have an equivocal effect in the prevention of POST at different time points. The incidence of sore throat increases significantly in surgeries lasting more than two hours if magnesium or budesonide have been used as premedicant. Duration of surgery is an independent predictor for POST. TRIAL REGISTRATION: CTRI/2021/05/033741 Date-24/05/2021(Clinical Trial Registry of India).

Non-invasive neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NIV-NAVA) reduces extubation failures in preterm neonates-A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM: To analyse the evidence of non-invasive neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NIV-NAVA) in preterm neonates compared to nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) or nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV). METHODS: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials and included studies where NIV-NAVA was analysed in preterm (<37 gestational weeks) born neonates. Our main outcomes were the need for endotracheal intubation, the need for surfactant therapy, and reintubation rates. Risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. RESULTS: A total of five studies were included. The endotracheal intubation rate was 25% in the NIV-NAVA group and 26% in the nCPAP group (RR 0.91, CI: 0.56-1.48). The respective rates for surfactant therapy were 30% and 35% (RR 0.85, CI: 0.56-1.29). The reintubation rate in neonates previously invasively ventilated was 8% in the NIV-NAVA group and 29% in the nCPAP/NIPPV group (RR 0.29, 95%CI: 0.10-0.81). Evidence certainty was rated as low for all outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: NIV-NAVA as the primary respiratory support did not reduce the need for endotracheal intubation or surfactant therapy. NIV-NAVA seemed to reduce the reintubation rate after extubation in pre-term neonates.

The PAC (Post-operative Airway Compromise) score - First steps to Develop a Post-Surgery Tool for the Assessment of Upper Airway-related Complications following Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Acute upper airway compromise is a rare but catastrophic complication after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). This study aims to develop a score to identify patients at risk for acute postoperative airway compromise (PAC). METHODS: Potential risk factors for acute PAC were selected by a modified Delphi process. Ten patients with acute PAC were identified out of 1,466 patients who underwent elective ACDF between July 2014 - May 2019. A comparison group was created by a randomized selection process (non-PAC group). Associated factors with PAC and a p-value <.10 were entered into a logistic regression model and coefficients contributed each risk factor's overall score. Calibration of the model was evaluated by Hosmer-Lemeshow (H-L) goodness-of-fit test. Quantitative discrimination was calculated and the final model was internally validated with bootstrap sampling. RESULTS: We identified 18 potential risk factors from our Delphi process, of which 6 factors demonstrated a significant association with airway compromise: age >65 years, current smoking status, ASA >2, history of a bleeding disorder, surgery of upper subaxial cervical spine (>C4), and duration of surgery >179 min. The final prediction model included five predictors with very strong performance characteristics. These five factors formed the PAC-Score (PACS) which had a range from 0 to 100. A score of 20 yielded the greatest balance of sensitivity (80%) and specificity (88%). CONCLUSIONS: The acute Postoperative Airway Compromise Score (PACS) demonstrates strong performance characteristics. The PAC score may help identify patients at risk for upper airway compromise caused by surgical site abnormalities.

Airway management in patients with suspected or confirmed cervical spine injury: Guidelines from the Difficult Airway Society (DAS), Association of Anaesthetists (AoA), British Society of Orthopaedic Anaesthetists (BSOA), Intensive Care Society (ICS), Neuro Anaesthesia and Critical Care Society (NACCS), Faculty of Prehospital Care and Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM).

BACKGROUND: There are concerns that airway management in patients with suspected or confirmed cervical spine injury may exacerbate an existing neurological deficit, cause a new spinal cord injury or be hazardous due to precautions to avoid neurological injury. However, there are no evidence-based guidelines for practicing clinicians to support safe and effective airway management in this setting. METHODS: An expert multidisciplinary, multi-society working party conducted a systematic review of contemporary literature (January 2012-June 2022), followed by a three-round Delphi process to produce guidelines to improve airway management for patients with suspected or confirmed cervical spine injury. RESULTS: We included 67 articles in the systematic review, and successfully agreed 23 recommendations. Evidence supporting recommendations was generally modest, and only one moderate and two strong recommendations were made. Overall, recommendations highlight key principles and techniques for pre-oxygenation and facemask ventilation; supraglottic airway device use; tracheal intubation; adjuncts during tracheal intubation; cricoid force and external laryngeal manipulation; emergency front-of-neck airway access; awake tracheal intubation; and cervical spine immobilisation. We also signpost to recommendations on pre-hospital care, military settings and principles in human factors. CONCLUSIONS: It is hoped that the pragmatic approach to airway management made within these guidelines will improve the safety and efficacy of airway management in adult patients with suspected or confirmed cervical spine injury.

Quality of Preanesthesia Teleconsultation: The TELECAM Randomized Controlled Trial.

Introduction: Preanesthesia teleconsultation helps reduce availability constraints as well as direct and indirect expenses. The TELECAM trial was performed to assess the quality of preanesthesia teleconsultation in terms of clinical parameters evaluation, feasibility, patient satisfaction and preoperative anxiety, and anesthesiologist satisfaction. Methods: TELECAM was an investigator-initiated, prospective, single-center, randomized, controlled, parallel group, evaluator-blinded, open-label study. Patients with a scheduled ambulatory surgery (orthopedic or hand surgery) were randomized into the in-person preanesthesia consultation group or the preanesthesia teleconsultation (conducted at the patient's home or workplace) group. The quality of the teleconsultation was evaluated through agreement on intubation difficulty, predictable mask ventilation difficulty, and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores between the preanesthesia consultation and the preanesthesia in-person visit. Results: A total of 241 patients were included, and 208 were considered in the analyses. The feasibility of teleconsultation was high, with a feasibility ratio of 87.5%. The quality of the preanesthesia consultation regarding the evaluation of predictable intubation, mask ventilation difficulties, and ASA score, did not differ between the two groups (p = 0.23, 0.29, and 0.06, respectively). The preoperative satisfaction was higher for patients who had a preanesthesia teleconsultation (p = 0.04). Patients' preoperative anxiety did not differ between the two groups (p = 0.90). The median satisfaction of the anesthesiologists who performed the teleconsultation reached a maximum of 10 (IQR: 8.0; 10.0). Conclusion: This study showed positive results for the quality of preanesthesia teleconsultation on the evaluation of clinical parameters, with high feasibility and satisfaction of the patients and anesthesiologists. The trial was registered in ClinicalTrials (NCT03470896).

Difficult endotracheal intubation in a patient with progressed tracheobronchopathia osteoplastica: A case report.

Tracheobronchopathia osteoplastica is a rare condition involving large airways with multiple bone and cartilage nodules in the tracheobronchial submucosa. This can cause tracheal stenosis, leading to difficulty in endotracheal intubation. A 79-year-old female patient, who had a history of successful endotracheal intubation for general anesthesia 8 years prior, was scheduled for abdominal surgery. Preoperative chest computed tomography and bronchoscopy revealed slight progression of tracheobronchopathia osteoplastica. Attempts to intubate with a smaller endotracheal tube failed; even the smaller endotracheal tube could barely pass. Mechanical ventilation was successfully administered and the surgery was completed without complications. The use of a smaller endotracheal tube may be beneficial for managing difficult airways in patients with tracheobronchopathia osteoplastica. Chest CT and bronchoscopic examination may be beneficial for evaluating the airway and determining the most appropriate airway management strategy. However, relying solely on these measures may lead to unexpected challenges because there is no established method to evaluate airway in patient with tracheobronchopathia osteoplastica. It is crucial for anesthesiologists to be aware of the potential existence of rare conditions such as tracheobronchopathia osteoplastica and be prepared to handle anticipated or unanticipated difficult airway management.

Management and Discussion of COVID-19 Related Tracheal Stenosis: A Single Center Retrospective Review.

SARS-CoV-2 virus has led to an unprecedented amount of tracheal stenosis. Rigid bronchoscopy can serve as a curative measure or bridge therapy to tracheal resection. We also briefly discuss the pathophysiology of tracheal stenosis from prolonged intubation and SARS-CoV-2 virus. This should be differentiated from other forms of airway obstruction such as tracheobronchomalacia which would be considered a pseudo-tracheal stenotic disease. The aim of this study is to evaluate stenosis that is unable to be improved with positive airway pressure or "PAP" therapies and required stenting and/or subsequent tracheal resection. By performing Rigid Bronchoscopy and subsequent stenting of airways, we demonstrated outcomes for long term airway patency regarding patients who were intubated secondary to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. We demonstrate superb outcomes in a consecutive case series of 6 patients managed with rigid bronchoscopy, airway stent and tracheal resection. The patients were all managed from a pulmonary perspective by the physicians mentioned in this study.

A randomised controlled trial to compare blind intubation success through LMA Blockbuster® and I-Gel® LMA.

INTRODUCTION: Laryngeal mask airway-blockbuster (LMA-BT) is a relatively new supraglottic airway device (SGAD). In this study, we compared LMA-BT with I-Gel LMA for efficacy of blind tracheal intubation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a single-blind prospective study after ethical approval. One hundred American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) Grade I-III (age 18-60 years) patients scheduled for elective surgery under general anaesthesia with endotracheal intubation were included and randomly divided into 2 groups. Blind tracheal intubation was performed through LMA-BT ( n = 50) and I-Gel ( n = 50) in groups 1 and 2, respectively. The primary aim was to evaluate the first pass success rate of blind tracheal intubation through the LMAs. The secondary objectives noted were attempts and ease of LMA insertion, total time taken for LMA insertion, airway seal pressure of LMA, ease of NGT insertion through LMA, fibre-optic grading of laryngeal view through LMA, overall success rate and time of intubation through LMA, time for LMA removal, and complications, if any. RESULTS: In the LMA-BT group, the first pass success rate ( P < 0.019) and the overall success rate of intubation ( P < 0.005) were significantly higher than in the I-Gel group. Using LMA-BT also resulted in statistically significant shorter intubation time ( P < 0.0001) with higher airway seal pressure as compared to I-Gel ( P < 0.001). The difference in the first attempt insertion, number of insertion attempts, ease and time of LMA insertion and removal after intubation, and postoperative complications were comparable among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: LMA-BT is a superior device as compared to I-Gel LMA as a conduit for blind tracheal intubation.

Cadaveric Study on Comparison of Neck Extension Angles for Endotracheal Intubation in Rabbits Using a Rigid and Flexible Endoscope.

Endotracheal intubation in rabbits is always challenging due to the unique anatomical conformation. To improve endotracheal intubation success, this study determined the relationship between head placement angles guided by endoscope-assisted visualization techniques and the endotracheal intubation success rate. Thirty-two rabbit cadavers were used in the study. Six veterinary practitioners who had no experience with rabbit endotracheal intubation were randomly assigned to intubate rabbit cadavers using the guidance of either a rigid endoscope (RE) or flexible endoscope (FE), with the head placement angles with an ascending neck at 90, 100, 110, 120 and 130 degrees. The endotracheal intubation completed in 90 s was determined to be a success. The success rates using RE and FE were 97.2% and 95.9%, respectively. The means and standard error of means (SEM) of endotracheal intubation times guided by RE and FE were 53.7 ± 4.68 and 55.2 ± 4.24 s, respectively. Results from survival time analysis show that the five veterinarians successfully intubated the rabbit within 90 s, regardless of the different types of endoscopes. Angle was the only significant factor that affected the endotracheal intubation success. The head placement angle at 110 and 120 degrees had the highest success rate of endotracheal intubation compared to 90 degrees (p ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, for inexperienced veterinarians, the success of endotracheal intubation in rabbits, guided by endoscope-assisted visualized techniques regardless of rigid endoscope or flexible endoscope guidance, is improved when the head extension is 110 and 120 degrees.

Airway risk associated with patients in halo fixation.

Background: The halo fixation device introduces a significant obstacle for clinicians attempting to secure a definitive airway in trauma patients with cervical spine injuries. The authors sought to determine the airway-related mortality rate of adult trauma patients in halo fixation requiring endotracheal intubation. Methods: This study was a retrospective chart review of patients identified between 2007 and 2012. Only adult trauma patients who were intubated while in halo fixation were included in the study. Results: A total of 46 patients underwent 60 intubations while in halo. On five occasions, (8.3%) patients were unable to be intubated and required an emergent surgical airway. Two (4.4%) of the patients out of our study population died specifically due to airway complications. Elective intubations had a failure rate of 5.8% but had no related permanent morbidity or mortality. In contrast to that, 25% of non-elective intubations failed and resulted in the deaths of two patients. The association between mortality and non-elective intubations was statistically highly significant (P = 0.0003). Conclusion: The failed intubation and airway-related mortality rates of patients in halo fixation were substantial in this study. This finding suggests that the halo device itself may present a major obstacle in airway management. Therefore, heightened vigilance is appropriate for intubations of patients in halo fixation.