CRICOTHYROTOMY

Cricothyrotomy is a life saving procedure. If a patient is having sudden respiratory obstruction and no particular instruments or fascilities are available then this procedure is of great help even in the hands of non medical people. In this, a slit is made in between the thyroid cartilage and cricoid cartilage. Thyroid cartilage is also called Adam's apple. It is V shaped and can be easily palpated in the neck.Cricoid cartilage is a round structure below the Adam's apple and is like a small tyre. The space in between these two cartilages is cricothyroid space and is covered by cricothyroid membrane. It is this space and membrane through which we make an opening in the larynx. With a blade or in emergency with any sharp object like knife after palpating the cricothyroid membrane a slit is made and widened. When no instrument is available the tip of a pen can puncture this space and then it is made patent with the hollow of a pen.Otherwise after widening the slit, a trcheostomy tude or endotracheal tube can be inserted through it and respiration secured.