scholarly journals Cricothyroidotomy in the emergency setting: indications, techniques and outcomes

2021 ◽  

Cricothyroidotomy is a lifesaving procedure performed in acute respiratory failure secondary to upper airway obstruction to restore a patent airway. Emergency cricothyroidotomy is considered to be the technique of choice to provide oxygenation to patients in “Can’t Intubate, Can’t Oxygenate” (CICO) scenario. In this study, we describe and discuss indications, different techniques and complications of cricothyroidotomy performed for establishing an airway in the emergency setting from a multidisciplinary point of view.

Author(s):  
Janice Wang ◽  
Astha Chichra ◽  
Seth Koenig

We present a rare cause of hypercapneic respiratory failure through this case report of a 72-year-old man presenting with progressive dyspnea and dysphagia over two years. Hypercapneic respiratory failure was acute on chronic in nature without an obvious etiology. Extensive workup for intrinsic pulmonary disease and neurologic causes were negative. Laryngoscopy and diagnostic imaging confirmed the diagnosis of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, also known as DISH, as the cause of upper airway obstruction leading to hypercapneic respiratory failure.


2018 ◽  
Vol 100 (8) ◽  
pp. e223-e225
Author(s):  
A Matsushita ◽  
S Hosokawa ◽  
D Mochizuki ◽  
J Okamura ◽  
K Funai ◽  
...  

Huge cervical and mediastinal masses may lead to acute respiratory failure caused by laryngotracheal compression and airway obstruction. Thyroid storm is also a life-threatening endocrine emergency originating almost exclusively from uncontrolled Graves’ disease. We report a case of a 42-year-old man with acute upper airway obstruction and tachycardia from progressive swelling of a giant thyroid, in conjunction with thyroid storm resulting from uncontrolled Graves’ disease. Fibreoptic-assisted nasal intubation was performed while the patient was awake, immediately followed by emergency total thyroidectomy via a cervical and sternal approach. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course and recovered well. Respiratory failure due to swelling of a giant thyroid is a life-threatening condition and should be treated immediately with endotracheal intubation while the patient is awake following emergent total thyroidectomy, even with a sternotomy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. e237764
Author(s):  
Ming Kai Teah ◽  
Yeen Mei Chu ◽  
Sakuntala Dewi Shanmuganathan ◽  
Tat Boon Yeap

Intubations are important live saving skills to maintain adequate ventilation and oxygenation. Common indications include impending upper airway obstruction, respiratory failure and impaired conscious level. Oral myiasis is an infrequently found disease which is characterised by ectoparasitic infestation of body tissues by fly maggots.We present a case report and share valuable experiences on a patient with massive airway myiasis causing upper airway obstruction which require emergency intubation.


SARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus which can cause respiratory failure requiring ventilatory support. We describe the first documented case of life-threatening upper airway obstruction due to retained secretions around a nasogastric (NG) tube in a patient suffering from this disease who was managed with prolonged continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP). This case highlights the need for awareness around the development of an upper airway mass due to tenacious secretions in SARS-CoV-2 positive patients and the need to develop preventative strategies in order to prevent avoidable mortality. Keywords: Airway obstruction; CPAP; SARS-CoV-2; Coronavirus; Nasogastric tube; Non-invasive ventilation.


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