title: Failed intubation and emergency percutaneous tracheostomy.
abstract: Failed intubation associated with difficulty with ventilation is rare. Cricothyrotomy may provide a means of oxygenating the patient, but in practice it may be difficult to perform and does not establish a definitive airway. We report two patients in whom percutaneous tracheostomy was used as an emergency procedure. In both cases placement was extremely rapid and salvaged the situation, leaving a definitive airway.
authors.affiliation: Magill Department of Anaesthesia, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Dob
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: McLure
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Soni
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000601:surgery*; D000075202:Contraindications; D004630:Emergencies; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014139:Tracheostomy