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How to do a Cricothyroidotomy

A method for using the Melker Emergency Cricothyrotomy Catheter Set (Cook Critical Care, Bloomington, IN) is described below.
The device is very intuitive to use, the steps nvolved are analogous to insertion of a pulmonary artery cather introducer.


The Cricothyroid membrane is located between the thyroid and cricoid cartilages.

After infiltration with local, if time allows, a vertical incision is made in the midline.

A catheter on introducer needle is advanced, entry into the trachea is confirmed by aspiration of air.

The cather is advanced into the trachea and the needle is removed.

A Seldinger wire is passed through the catheter and the catheter is removed.

Cricothyrotomy continued

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