Development of a rapid, safe, fiber-optic guided, single-incision cricothyrotomy using a large ovine model: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
We present a pilot study in which we use an ovine model to develop a rapid, safe cricothyrotomy technique using a Melker cuffed 5.0 cricothyrotomy catheter loaded over a fiberoptic stainless steel optical stylet. The technique requires a single incision. The stylet allows easy placement and facilitates visual, tactile, and transillumination confirmation of intratracheal placement. We recorded this process on video to facilitate the development of the procedure and to allow others to replicate it for further research or refinement. All devices used in this technique are currently employed in clinical practice.


METHODS
We performed the procedure in four anesthetized sheep, varying the technique to maximize speed, demonstrate pitfalls, and optimize video recording of confirmation methods. We recorded each case using a 4-channel digital video recorder.


RESULTS
After making a single scalpel incision we inserted the stylet and confirmed placement by visualization, transillumination, "click" palpation, and gentle stylet-driven tracheal displacement. We passed the cricothyrotomy tubes without difficulty and easily ventilated the animals.


CONCLUSIONS
The procedure is rapid, incorporates redundant safety features, and uses equipment increasingly available to anesthesiologists, emergency physicians, intensivists and surgeons. The promising outcome of this pilot study should be verified in a larger controlled, comparative trial.
Paladino
Lorenzo
L
Department of Emergency Medicine, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY 11203, United States. lorenzopaladino@yahoo.com
DuCanto
James
J
Manoach
Seth
S
D000818:Animals; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000379:methods*; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003413:Cricoid Cartilage / Q000601:surgery*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004867:Equipment Design; D055100:Optical Fibers; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000379:methods*; D012756:Sheep; D013997:Time Factors; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014741:Video Recording