Airway Management in Combat Trauma

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Airway compromise remains a leading cause of death in battlefield trauma. The purpose of this review is to examine the impact of airway compromise on survival in the combat trauma population and assess the challenges in providing effective airway management in the combat environment when contrasted with the civilian peacetime environment.

Recent Findings

Management approaches in the civilian trauma setting are not necessarily applicable in the combat environment due to differences in injury patterns and extent of prehospital airway operator training. Although outcomes with airway management in both combat and civilian trauma environments are improved when more skilled providers are involved, this is not always a feasible option in the combat environment.

Summary

The prehospital setting represents the area of greatest difference in planning and practice between the civilian and combat trauma systems. Further research is necessary to improve training strategies and equipment used in combat airway management.

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