Specific Issues
Airway issues of importance in the comatose patient include concerns for cervical spine injury and increased intracranial pressure. If trauma is suspected, stabilization of the cervical spine during the diagnostic process must be maintained. Issues of intubation in the head-inured patient or other comatose patient with suspected increased intracranial pressure need modification of rapid sequence intubation techniques that are discussed at length in Chap. 19. If protection of the airway is at all in doubt, seizure is a possibility, or the coma state is likely prolonged, it may be prudent to intubate the patient.