CRICOTHYROTOMY

Course overview

TODAY, THE EMERGENCY CRICOTHYROIDOTOMY IS THE SURGICAL RESCUE TECHNIQUE OF CHOICE FOR THE FAILED AIRWAY IN ADULTS. IT IS CONSIDERED A MORE STRAIGHTFORWARD PROCEDURE THAN THE TRACHEOSTOMY. THIS ACTIVITY DESCRIBES THE INDICATIONS, CONTRAINDICATIONS, AND TECHNIQUE INVOLVED IN PERFORMING A CRICOTHYROIDOTOMY AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN ENSURING AIRWAY ACCESS IN DIFFICULT PATIENTS.