MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Emergency airway puncture

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Emergency airway puncture

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative names Definition Description	Indications Risks Expectations after surgery Convalescence

Illustrations

Emergency airway puncture

Cricoid cartilage

Alternative names Return to top

Emergency airway puncture; Needle cricothyrotomy

Definition Return to top

This is an emergency incision, or insertion of a hollow needle, into the airway (larynx). It is used to treat life-threatening choking.

Description Return to top

In an emergency situation, when someone is choking and all other efforts to assist with breathing have failed, a hollow needle can be inserted into the throat, just below the Adam's apple (cricoid cartilage). In hospital settings, a small skin incision may be made before inserting the needle or tube.

Indications Return to top

A cricothyrotomy is recommended as an emergency procedure to relieve an airway obstruction until surgical placement of a breathing tube (tracheostomy) can be done.

Risks Return to top

Risks for any surgery are:

Bleeding
Infection

Additional risks include:

Trauma to the larynx, thyroid gland, or esophagus

Expectations after surgery Return to top

Emergency airway puncture (cricothyrotomy) can be quite effective in relieving an airway obstruction.

Convalescence Return to top

See tracheostomy.

Update Date: 10/27/2003

Updated by: James L. Demetroulakos M.D. F.A.C.S., Department Of Otolaryngology, North Shore Medical Center, Salem, MA. Clinical Instructor in Otology and Laryngology Harvard Medical School. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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