How is the airway managed in patients with suspected spinal injury?

The jaw-thrust maneuver is the recommended technique for managing the airway in patients with suspected spinal injury because it minimizes movement of the cervical spine. This approach helps to open the airway effectively without introducing additional risk of further spinal injury, which could occur with techniques that require flexion or extension of the neck, such as the head-tilt chin lift maneuver.

In this context, the jaw-thrust maneuver consists of positioning the patient’s jaw forward while keeping the head and neck as stable as possible. This technique does not compromise spinal alignment and is crucial when spinal injury is a potential factor, ensuring that air can pass into the lungs while prioritizing the safety of the spine.

Also, while other interventions like neck brace application and oxygen therapy are essential components of trauma management, they do not directly address the immediate need for airway control and protection in a patient with a suspected spinal injury. Thus, the application of a neck brace relates more to immobilization rather than airway management, and administering oxygen therapy, while critical in treating hypoxia, does not directly facilitate airway clearance.