[Helicopter transportation of a sedated, mechanically ventilated patient with cervical cord injury].

: We report helicopter transportation of a sedated, mechanically ventilated patient with cervical cord injury. A 20-year-old male sustained traumatic injury to the cervical spinal cord during extracurricular activities in a college. On arrival at the hospital, a halo vest was placed on the patient and tracheostomy was performed. On the 38th hospital day, he was transported a distance of 520km by helicopter to a specialized hospital in Fukuoka for medical repatriation. Cabin space was narrow. Since power supply and carrying capacity were limited, battery-driven and portable medical devices were used. In consideration for patient's psychological stress, he was sedated with propofol. RSS (Ramsay sedation scale) scores were recorded to evaluate whether the patient was adequately sedated during helicopter transportation. Prior to transport, we rehearsed the sedation using bispectral index monitoring (BIS) in the hospital to further ensure the patient's safety during the transport.