Cricothyroidotomy: A Short-term Measure for Elective Ventilation in a Patient with Challenging Neck Anatomy

Abstract

Cricothyroidotomy is a well established technique of airway management in emergency situations where translaryngeal intubation cannot be achieved.

This case report describes a case where cricothyroidotomy was used for elective ventilation for short period of 48 hours in a patient who had a vocal cord palsy, supraglottic oedema and inflammation. Surgical tracheostomy was considered the preferred option, but this was deemed impossible due to the challenging neck anatomy in this case.