|
A cricothyrotomy (also called thyrocricotomy, cricothyroidotomy, inferior laryngotomy, intercricothyrotomy, coniotomy or emergency airway puncture) is an emergency incision through the skin and cricothyroid membrane to secure a patient's airway for emergency relief of upper airway obstruction. A cricothyrotomy is usually performed by paramedics and emergency physicians as a last resort in cases of severe choking due to upper airway obstruction when attempts at orotracheal and nasotracheal intubation have failed.
Procedure The procedure was first described in 1805 by Vicq d' Azyr, a French surgeon and anatomist. A cricothyrotomy is typically performed using a hollow needle to pierce the cricothyroid membrane in between the thyroid and cricoid cartilages. The needle enters the patient's airway, allowing air to flow through the incision. Under non-ideal conditions without access to medical assistance or equipment, cricothyrotomy can be performed using crude devices such as knives to cut through the skin, and piercing the cricothyroid membrane with for instance the barrel of a ball point pen. This is however extremely dangerous and carries a high risk of infection, and is illegal without a medical license. See also | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||
 |
|
| |