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Case Reports
. 2019 Nov 13;5(4):e181-e183.
doi: 10.1055/s-0039-1700806. eCollection 2019 Oct.

A Case Report Describing Three Cases of Challenging or Failed Intubation after Cervical Spine Surgery: A Peril of Early Extubation

Puneet Mishra  1 , Kelly Louise Mishra  1 , Cassandra Palmer  1 , Amy Robertson  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

A Case Report Describing Three Cases of Challenging or Failed Intubation after Cervical Spine Surgery: A Peril of Early Extubation

Puneet Mishra et al. Surg J (N Y). .

Abstract

Postoperative airway complications can be a common, yet perhaps underappreciated, complication in patients undergoing cervical spine surgery. Presented here are three cases in which patients experienced postoperative airway compromise, resulting in difficulty establishing a secure airway following cervical spine operations. Establishing factors that contribute to airway complications after cervical spine surgery can aid in early identification of high-risk patients to create an appropriate airway management strategy. Ultimately, the frequency of airway difficulty after removal of the endotracheal tube in patients undergoing cervical spine surgery should not be taken lightly.

Keywords: airway complications; cervical spine surgery; reintubation.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest The authors have no conflicts of interests.

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