This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Go to /pro/cpd-dashboard page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. CPD dashboard

Go to /account/subscription-details page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. Upgrade to Pro

Cricothyroidotomy

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

A needle cricothyroidotomy is an emergency procedure, attempting to gain an airway. It involves the insertion of the largest bore cannula available through the easily identifiable cricothyroid membrane, between the thyroid and cricoid cartilages in the anterior midline.

It is a temporary procedure that allows rapid entrance to the airway for ventilation and oxygenation. Care must be taken to hold the needle in position.

Complications include:

  • haemorrhage
  • perforation of oesophagus

Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.