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Emergency airway puncture |
| Definition: |
This is an emergency incision, or insertion of a hollow needle, into the airway (larynx). It is used to treat life-threatening choking. |
| Alternative Names: |
| Emergency airway puncture; Needle cricothyrotomy |
| Description: |
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: |
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: |
Risks for any surgery are:
Additional risks include:
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| Expectations after surgery: |
Emergency airway puncture (cricothyrotomy) can be quite effective in relieving an airway obstruction. |
| Convalescence: |
See tracheostomy. |
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