Surgical Cricothyroidotomy (Bougie Assisted)

A surgical cricothyroidotomy is indicated by the 2017 NYS EMS collaborative protocols to be performed by paramedics when the patient cannot be adequately ventilated and oxygenated by any other method. In these “can’t intubate, can’t oxygenate” (CICO) situations, a rapid, effective surgical cricothyroidotomy may be lifesaving.  This module depicts a simple and effective technique for emergent field surgical cricothyroidotomy utilizing equipment commonly found on the ambulance.

Cast in Alphabetical Order:

Michael T. Benenati, BS, AAS, EMT-P
Tyler F. Cominsky, NRP
Seth Goldstein, BA, AS, AEMT-P/CIC
Susie Surprenant, BBA, BS, NRP
David Violante, MPH, MPA, AEMT-P

Faizan H. Arshad, MD @emscritcare
Christopher J. Fullagar, MD, EMT-P, FACEP @87MD1