Failed intubation and emergency percutaneous tracheostomy.

Dob, D P; McLure, H A; Soni, N · Anaesthesia · 1998

case_report · Level V

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Abstract

Failed intubation associated with difficulty with ventilation is rare. Cricothyrotomy may provide a means of oxygenating the patient, but in practice it may be difficult to perform and does not establish a definitive airway. We report two patients in whom percutaneous tracheostomy was used as an emergency procedure. In both cases placement was extremely rapid and salvaged the situation, leaving a definitive airway.

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