title: Comparison of ultrasonography and surface landmarks in detecting the localization for cricothyroidotomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to compare ultrasonography (US) and surface landmark techniques for detecting the cricothyroid membrane (CTM) to perform a cricothyroidotomy on healthy volunteers.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective observational study, 5 operators and 24 models were included. The borders of the CTM were marked with an invisible pen. The operators were asked to point the CTM either with the palpation method or the US-guided fashion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The CTM was detected accurately in 80 (66.7%) attempts with palpation and 83 (69.2%) attempts with US. There was no statistically significant difference in the accuracy of detection of the CTM with palpation and US. The mean time for detecting the CTM with palpation was 8.25 ± 4.8 seconds (95% confidence interval, 7.3-9.1). The mean time for detecting CTM with US was 17 ± 9.2 seconds (95% confidence interval, 15.3-18.7). The duration for detecting the localization of the CTM was longer with US.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to the results of this study, the accuracy of US and palpation was similar in detecting the localization of the CTM. However, the duration for detecting the CTM was longer with US when compared with the palpation technique.
authors.affiliation: Akdeniz University School of Medicine Department of Emergency Medicine, Antalya, Turkey.
authors.forename: Günay
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yıldız
authors.affiliation: Akdeniz University School of Medicine Department of Emergency Medicine, Antalya, Turkey. Electronic address: erkangoksu@akdeniz.edu.tr.
authors.forename: Erkan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Göksu
authors.affiliation: Akdeniz University School of Medicine Department of Emergency Medicine, Antalya, Turkey.
authors.forename: Aydan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Şenfer
authors.affiliation: Akdeniz University School of Medicine Department of Emergency Medicine, Antalya, Turkey.
authors.forename: Atilla
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kaplan
mesh_terms: D059925:Anatomic Landmarks; D003413:Cricoid Cartilage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D010173:Palpation / Q000379:methods*; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods*; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013957:Thyroid Cartilage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult