Awake intubation with airway blocks for an unstable cervical spine
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Airway station (illustrative). The ABA has announced an unscored airway management pilot for 2027 but has not published the station's format, timing or equipment.5
Mr. Novak is a 47-year-old roofer, 96 kg, 178 cm, who fell 4 meters this morning. He has an unstable C5–C6 fracture and is in a rigid collar; he moves all four limbs normally. He is booked for posterior cervical fixation in the prone position. He has a full beard, and with the collar on, his mouth opening is two fingerbreadths and his Mallampati class is 3. He ate breakfast an hour before the fall. The facilitator will give findings and events when you ask; a flexible bronchoscope, videolaryngoscope, high-flow nasal oxygen, lidocaine and sedatives are available.
Your task: tell Mr. Novak and the facilitator how you will secure his airway, and show the landmarks for any airway blocks you use.