Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2026

A Novel Rescue Technique for Difficult Intubation and Difficult Ventilation
Published on: January 17, 2011
Surgical approach in difficult airway management
Matthias Helm1, Andre Gries, Till Mutzbauer
1Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Federal Armed Forces Medical Center, Ulm, Germany. matthias.helm@extern.uni-ulm.de
Abstract:
In all difficult airway algorithms, cricothyroidotomy is the life-saving procedure and is the final 'cannot ventilate, cannot intubate' option, whether in pre-hospital, emergency department, intensive care unit, or operating room patients. Cricothyroidotomy is a relatively safe and rapid means of securing an emergency airway. As with all other critical procedures in emergency medicine, a thorough knowledge of the technique and adequate practice prior to attempting to perform an emergency cricothyroidotomy are essential.
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