[Airways access in cannot intubate situation : cricothyrotomy]

In case of impossible intubation /oxygenation because of an upper airways obstruction, a cricothyrotomy is indicated. It is a relative simple and safe procedure that may be life saving. A blade, a tube and one's index finger are the only tools needed. The procedure can be done anywhere and every physician should be able to perform it. Several devices have been developed to try to improve it's success rate ; on the contrary, they render the task more complicated and lead to double failure rates with associated lesions, as described in our comparative study. The aim of this article is to recall the technique and make doctors that are not familiar with the use of a knife feel more confident. We emphasize on the use of a finger (index) to facilitate the procedure.