Cooperation with anesthesiologists for acute airway management in the emergency department: A case report

ABSTRACT

Airway management in the emergency department is one of the most important responsibilities of the emergency physician and often involves cooperation with anesthesiologists and trauma surgeons. A 21-year-old woman was transferred to our emergency department for urgent trauma management following a motor vehicle accident. Her face was severely edematous, and her lower maxilla, including the alveoli, was separated from the upper maxilla. She was diagnosed with a Le Fort I fracture with a basal skull fracture. She also had epistaxis and oral bleeding. Her airway was difficult to manage; however, our trauma team, including anesthesiologists, managed her airway successfully in the emergency room.