Cannula cricothyroidotomy and rescue oxygenation with the Rapid-O2™ oxygen insufflation device in the management of a can't intubate/can't oxygenate scenario.
Wexler S, Hall K, Chin RY1, Prineas SN.
Author information
1
Head and Neck Surgeon, Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Nepean Hospital, Clinical Associate Professor, Clinical Director of Education Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Sydney, Conjoint Associate, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales.
Abstract
We describe the successful use of cannula cricothyroidotomy and the Rapid-O2™ oxygen insufflation device (Meditech Systems Ltd, Dorset, UK) for rescue of a can't intubate/can't oxygenate (CICO) scenario in a patient with severe airway haemorrhage post-debridement of laryngeal amyloidosis. This case highlights the practical utility of a cannula technique for CICO rescue when appropriate equipment is used and when institutional measures are taken to prepare for this rare anaesthetic crisis.

KEYWORDS:
airway emergency; airway obstruction; cannula; cricothyroidotomy

PMID: 29361262 DOI: 10.1177/0310057X1804600114