Biomaterial Database

Needle cricothyroidotomy revisited. 1999

D A Peak, and S Roy

Department of Emergency Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Massachusetts 02118, USA.

Needle cricothyroidotomy may provide a life-saving airway when tracheal intubation is not possible. Indications for needle cricothyroidotomy are discussed. Methods of needle/angiocatheter insertion and proposed means to connect to an oxygen source for intermittent insufflation are reviewed. A new technique for administering effective oxygenation and ventilation through a trans-tracheal catheter using materials commonly available in an emergency department is presented. Potential complications are discussed. Complete upper airway obstruction is a contraindication to needle cricothyroidotomy because of the risks of barotrauma. In a crisis situation, the emergency practitioner needs a simple, reliable, effective, and preplanned technique to deal with the "nightmare airway."

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007327	Insufflation	The act of blowing a powder, vapor, or gas into any body cavity for experimental, diagnostic, or therapeutic purposes.	Insufflations
D008566	Membranes	Thin layers of tissue which cover parts of the body, separate adjacent cavities, or connect adjacent structures.	Membrane Tissue,Membrane,Membrane Tissues,Tissue, Membrane,Tissues, Membrane
D009339	Needles	Sharp instruments used for puncturing or suturing.	Hypodermic Needles,Hypodermic Needle,Needle,Needle, Hypodermic,Needles, Hypodermic
D011677	Punctures	Incision of tissues for injection of medication or for other diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Punctures of the skin, for example may be used for diagnostic drainage; of blood vessels for diagnostic imaging procedures.	Micropunctures,Micropuncture,Puncture
D012121	Respiration, Artificial	Any method of artificial breathing that employs mechanical or non-mechanical means to force the air into and out of the lungs. Artificial respiration or ventilation is used in individuals who have stopped breathing or have RESPIRATORY INSUFFICIENCY to increase their intake of oxygen (O2) and excretion of carbon dioxide (CO2).	Ventilation, Mechanical,Mechanical Ventilation,Artificial Respiration,Artificial Respirations,Mechanical Ventilations,Respirations, Artificial,Ventilations, Mechanical
D002648	Child	A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL.	Children
D004638	Emergency Treatment	First aid or other immediate intervention for accidents or medical conditions requiring immediate care and treatment before definitive medical and surgical management can be procured.	Emergency Therapy,Therapy, Emergency,Emergency Therapies,Emergency Treatments,Therapies, Emergency,Treatment, Emergency,Treatments, Emergency
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000075202	Contraindications	A condition or factor associated with a recipient that makes the use of a drug, procedure, or physical agent improper or inadvisable. Contraindications may be absolute (life threatening) or relative (higher risk of complications in which benefits may outweigh risks).	Contraindications, Physical Agent,Medical Contraindications,Agent Contraindication, Physical,Agent Contraindications, Physical,Contraindication,Contraindication, Medical,Contraindication, Physical Agent,Contraindications, Medical,Medical Contraindication,Physical Agent Contraindication,Physical Agent Contraindications
D000402	Airway Obstruction	Any hindrance to the passage of air into and out of the lungs.	Choking,Airway Obstructions,Obstruction, Airway,Obstructions, Airway