TY - JOUR
T1 - Cricothyroidotomy
T2 - The impact of antecedent endotracheal intubation
AU - Weymuller, Ernest A.
AU - Cummings, Charles W.
PY - 1982/7
Y1 - 1982/7
N2 - In light of the current debate regarding cricothyroidotomy, we elected to study the procedure at our institution. Cricothyroidotomy was instituted whenever tracheotomy was necessary for airway management. After a fairly short period of time, some significant complications of cricothyroidotomy were apparent and the study was aborted prior to achieving statistically significant results. The report reviews 15 consecutive cricothyroidotomies. Five (33%) developed significant complications requiring surgical intervention. Of the five, two had life-threatening airway obstruction. The major underlying factor in patients who developed complications was prolonged intubation prior to the institution of cricothyroidotomy. The study suggests that cricothyroidotomy should not be performed after prolonged intubation. The issue of primary cricothyroidotomy for short-term airway control remains unanswered.
AB - In light of the current debate regarding cricothyroidotomy, we elected to study the procedure at our institution. Cricothyroidotomy was instituted whenever tracheotomy was necessary for airway management. After a fairly short period of time, some significant complications of cricothyroidotomy were apparent and the study was aborted prior to achieving statistically significant results. The report reviews 15 consecutive cricothyroidotomies. Five (33%) developed significant complications requiring surgical intervention. Of the five, two had life-threatening airway obstruction. The major underlying factor in patients who developed complications was prolonged intubation prior to the institution of cricothyroidotomy. The study suggests that cricothyroidotomy should not be performed after prolonged intubation. The issue of primary cricothyroidotomy for short-term airway control remains unanswered.
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U2 - 10.1177/000348948209100423
DO - 10.1177/000348948209100423
M3 - Article
C2 - 7114727
AN - SCOPUS:0019969348
SN - 0003-4894
VL - 91
SP - 437
EP - 439
JO - Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology
JF - Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology
IS - 4
ER -