Bougie‐guided Cricothyrotomy Technique

Abstract

Cricothyrotomy is a life-saving surgical procedure that every emergency physician, anesthesiologist, and surgeon should be able to perform. This procedure is rarely needed due to improvements in other airway techniques and equipment, so most airway providers and surgeons are essentially novices when it comes to performing an emergent cricothyrotomy. Several different cricothyrotomy techniques have been described, and there is no standard method for performing this procedure. The ideal cricothyrotomy technique should be easy to learn and should utilize widely available airway equipment. Most cricothyrotomy techniques have not been studied, but the rapid four-step technique has been shown to be effective. While teaching the four-step cricothyrotomy technique in our procedure laboratory, and using it in clinical practice for the past several years, we noticed that the limiting step is usually insertion of the Shiley tracheal tube. Video Clip S1 (available as supporting information in the online version of this paper) shows a novel cricothyrotomy technique using an airway bougie and a standard endotracheal tube, instead of a Shiley tracheal tube. This technique is easy for novices to learn, utilizes standard equipment, and has been successfully used in clinical practice. Video Clip S1. Bougie-assisted cricothyrotomy technique. Please note: Wiley Periodicals Inc. is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing material) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.