[Tracheal intubation with fiberscope in traumatology of the cervical spine. Our clinical experience].

Cervical spine lesions require early stabilisation. The fibroscope was used in order to avoid irreversible damage to the medulla during intubation. Twenty-five patients aged between 18 and 70 years old were treated. Pre-medication and local anesthesia of the nostril, rhinopharynx and oropharynx was performed. Local anesthesia of the hypopharynx was omitted to avoid the tussigenic reflex which is dangerous in this pathology. The patient was then deeply sedated maintaining respiratory activity. The tracheal tube was then introduced into the nostril and the fibroscope was then positioned using this as a guide. Following the insertion of the fibroscope in the trachea, the latter was then used to slide the tracheal tube down. The authors consider this technique to be useful in this pathology since it is risk free if used as described above.