title: Cricothyroidotomy.
abstract: Cricothyroidotomy is a technique used to gain emergency access to the airway through the cricothyroid membrane. Although its use should be reserved for specific circumstances, the procedure is safe and can be performed rapidly. Knowledge of the anatomy of the anterior neck and a specific sequence for performing the cricothyroidotomy generally will result in a good success rate and acceptable complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Vancouver General Hospital, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Walls
mesh_terms: D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000601:surgery; D004630:Emergencies; D006801:Humans; D007830:Larynx / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*; D008566:Membranes / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000379:methods*; D013525:Surgical Instruments