170
Injury, 11,170
Printed in Great Britain
Letter to the Editor From D. L Rowley Sir, I would like to describe a recent case admitted to the accident and emergency department in order to highlight the dangers of chewing gum during certain activities. A 19-year-old motorcyclist was in collision with a car and was found lying unconscious at the roadside by the ambulance crew. He was placed in the ambulance and subsequently transported to the hospital in the semi-prone position. During this period he was breathing normally and was a good colour. However, during his transfer to the resuscitation room he was transiently supine and immediately became cyanosed, breathing paradoxically. Normal methods to protect the airway exercised during his journey to hospital were now found to be inadequate in reversing his deteriorating condition. Laryngoscopy was performed
and a large wad of chewing gum found lodged in the oropharynx was removed with ease. His condition immediately improved and resuscitation continued. This incident, besides warning us of the hazards of gum chewing, serves as a reminder of the central importance of the airway in primary care. It is useful to recollect that, however efficient the resuscitation techniques become, they will all come to nothing unless the upper airway is cleared of all possible obstruction. Yours faithfully, D. I. Rowley Enfield District Hospital, Chace Wing, The Ridgeway, Enfield.
Injury, 11,170
Printed in Great Britain
Letter to the Editor From D. L Rowley Sir, I would like to describe a recent case admitted to the accident and emergency department in order to highlight the dangers of chewing gum during certain activities. A 19-year-old motorcyclist was in collision with a car and was found lying unconscious at the roadside by the ambulance crew. He was placed in the ambulance and subsequently transported to the hospital in the semi-prone position. During this period he was breathing normally and was a good colour. However, during his transfer to the resuscitation room he was transiently supine and immediately became cyanosed, breathing paradoxically. Normal methods to protect the airway exercised during his journey to hospital were now found to be inadequate in reversing his deteriorating condition. Laryngoscopy was performed
and a large wad of chewing gum found lodged in the oropharynx was removed with ease. His condition immediately improved and resuscitation continued. This incident, besides warning us of the hazards of gum chewing, serves as a reminder of the central importance of the airway in primary care. It is useful to recollect that, however efficient the resuscitation techniques become, they will all come to nothing unless the upper airway is cleared of all possible obstruction. Yours faithfully, D. I. Rowley Enfield District Hospital, Chace Wing, The Ridgeway, Enfield.
