Cricothyroidotomy in the emergency setting: indications, techniques and outcomes

Abstract

Cricothyroidotomy is a lifesaving procedure performed in acute respiratory failure secondary to upper airway obstruction to restore a patent airway. Emergency cricothyroidotomy is considered to be the technique of choice to provide oxygenation to patients in “Can’t Intubate, Can’t Oxygenate” (CICO) scenario. In this study, we describe and discuss indications, different techniques and complications of cricothyroidotomy performed for establishing an airway in the emergency setting from a multidisciplinary point of view.