Emergency Cricothyrotomy

Emergency Cricothyrotomy

The patient is positioned supine with the neck extended. After sterile preparation, the larynx is grasped with one hand while a blade is used to incise the skin and subcutaneous tissue vertically in the midline, and cricothyroid membrane horizontally. An endotracheal tube or tracheostomy tube can be placed through the incision into the trachea.