A new emergency cricothyroidotomy instrument.
Cricothyroidotomy is an excellent emergency procedure for airway obstruction which cannot be relieved by oral or nasal intubation. Important factors for a device for emergency cricothyroidotomy include selective airways, an airway lumen of sufficient size to permit suctioning or adequate airflow during spontaneous breathing, and the ability to assess depth and angle of penetration. An instrument that is simple to insert, offers protection against overpenetration, minimizes bleeding, and provides an airway offering a variety of lumens is described. It appears to provide an ideal means of accomplishing an emergency cricothyroidotomy for airway obstruction.
D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000601:surgery*; D003413:Cricoid Cartilage / Q000601:surgery*; D004630:Emergencies; D006801:Humans; D007817:Laryngeal Cartilages / Q000601:surgery*; D012151:Resuscitation; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000295:instrumentation*