Large retropharyngeal haematoma. Airway management with Airtraq® laryngoscope

Abstract

Retropharyngeal haematoma is a life-threatening clinical situation that can lead to a potential obstruction of the upper airway and requires rapid diagnosis. Clinicaly, it can be presented in different ways, depending on its size and growing speed. The first measure is to protect and manage the airway: in most cases this is a difficult airway situation. A retropharyngeal haematoma can be formed due to a previous traumatic history, with or without associated cervical fracture. Treatment of the haematoma is conservative in most cases, with close monitoring until it is reabsorbed in 3-4 weeks, although they can sometimes require surgical evacuation. We present the case of a patient who developed a large retropharyngeal haematoma after minor cervical trauma and describe an approach of the airway using the Airtraq® disposable optical laryngoscope.

Keywords: Difficult airway; Espacio retrofaríngeo; Hematoma retrofaríngeo; Laringoscopio óptico; Optic laryngoscope; Retropharyngeal haematoma; Retropharyngeal space; Vía aérea difícil.