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Abstract

Cricothyroidotomy is the quickest and safest procedure to obtain an adequate airway in a patient in whom intubation has failed. Cricothyroidotomy is a relatively straightforward procedure with a high success rate in those with adequate training. In an emergency setting, this procedure is the first-line therapy. However, as an elective procedure, cricothyroidotomy is only appropriate in some cases, most notably in those without antecedent intubation or laryngeal pathology. There are a number of techniques for cannulating the airway through the cricothyroid membrane, including needle cricothyroidotomy, open surgical approach, and percutaneous dilational cricothyroidotomy.

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Correspondence to Joshua B. Silverman M.D., Ph.D. .

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Silverman, J.B. (2013). Cricothyroidotomy. In: Ernst, A., Herth, F. (eds) Principles and Practice of Interventional Pulmonology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4292-9_67

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4292-9_67

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