An approach to airway management in the acutely head-injured patient.

The rapid and safe establishment and maintenance of an adequate airway in patients with acute, severe head injuries is of central importance in the "ABC" approach to the trauma victim. It is also necessary before hyperventilation can be instituted as a means of controlling intracranial pressure. A method of establishing an airway in a manner that best protects the patient from unnecessary elevations in intracranial pressure with the least possible risk is presented. This method can be applied in virtually all emergency departments, from community hospitals to teaching centers, using materials and expertise currently available.