Advanced
Technical
IVT
surgical cricothyroidotomy
Pronunciation: kry-ko-thy-roy-DOT-o-mee
Emergency airway procedure involving incision through the cricothyroid membrane to establish ventilation.
Full Definition
A life-saving surgical procedure performed when conventional airway management fails or is contraindicated, typically in trauma patients with facial injuries or airway obstruction. The technique involves making a horizontal incision through the skin and cricothyroid membrane, followed by insertion of a tracheostomy tube or endotracheal tube. This procedure is part of the failed airway algorithm and requires immediate recognition and execution in acute care settings.
Usage
Usage note: Often abbreviated as 'cric' in clinical notes but spell out in formal documentation.
In Context
- "Unable to intubate due to maxillofacial trauma, the team performed a surgical cricothyroidotomy." — Emergency procedure note
- "The surgical cricothyroidotomy was converted to a formal tracheostomy once the patient stabilized." — Operative report
Also known as
cricothyrotomy
emergency airway
Contrasted with
endotracheal intubation
nasotracheal intubation
Don't confuse with
tracheostomy
needle cricothyroidotomy