Cannula cricothyroidotomy and rescue oxygenation with the Rapid-O2™ oxygen insufflation device in the management of a can't intubate/can't oxygenate scenario

S Wexler; K Hall; R Y Chin; S N Prineas

doi:10.1177/0310057X1804600114

Cannula cricothyroidotomy and rescue oxygenation with the Rapid-O2™ oxygen insufflation device in the management of a can't intubate/can't oxygenate scenario

Anaesth Intensive Care. 2018 Jan;46(1):97-101. doi: 10.1177/0310057X1804600114.

Authors

S Wexler, K Hall, R Y Chin¹, S N Prineas

Affiliation

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.

PMID: 29361262
DOI: 10.1177/0310057X1804600114

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.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Airway Management / instrumentation
Airway Management / methods*
Cannula*
Cricoid Cartilage / surgery*
Humans
Insufflation / instrumentation
Insufflation / methods
Male
Middle Aged
Oxygen / administration & dosage*
Postoperative Hemorrhage / complications*
Thyroidectomy / methods*

Substances

Oxygen