Efficacy of pre-hospital rapid sequence intubation in paediatric traumatic brain injury: A 9-year observational study

Abstract

Introduction: Prehospital airway management of the paediatric patient with traumatic brain injury (TBI) is controversial. Endotracheal intubation of children in the field requires specific skills and has potential benefits but also carries potentially serious complications. We aimed to compare mortality and functional outcomes after six months between children with TBI who either underwent prehospital rapid sequence intubation (RSI) by trained Intensive Care paramedics (ICP) or received no intubation. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of patients aged ≤14 years with suspected TBI in Victoria, Australia. Patients were either transported via helicopter and received RSI by an ICP (200..