Emergency airway puncture
Definition
Emergency airway puncture is an emergency insertion of a hollow needle into the airway (larynx). It is used to treat life-threatening choking.
Alternative Names
Needle cricothyrotomyDescription
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.
Why the Procedure is Performed
A cricothyrotomy is recommended as an emergency procedure to relieve an airway obstruction until surgical placement of a breathing tube (tracheostomy) can be done.
Recovery
See: Tracheostomy
Outlook (Prognosis)
Emergency airway puncture (cricothyrotomy) can be quite effective in relieving an airway obstruction.
Risks
Risks for any surgery are:
- Bleeding
- Infection
Additional risks include trauma to the larynx, thyroid gland, or esophagus.
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