The influence of neck position on ventilation using the Combitube airway

A Combitube airway was inserted into 40 patients undergoing general anaesthesia. A rigid cervical collar was then used to immobilise the neck of each patient. In all 40 subjects adequate ventilation of the lungs was possible in this position as assessed by chest movement and auscultation, measurement of expired tidal volume and maintenance of satisfactory arterial oxygen saturation. In 18/40 patients (45%), blood was present on the Combitube after removal. Reducing the volume of air injected into the proximal balloon of the Combitube appeared to reduce the incidence of airway trauma during insertion.