39 Decline in Rates of Cricothyrotomy in the Emergency Department

Abstract

Previous observational studies have reported a cricothyrotomy rate between 0.5 and 1.0% in emergency department patients. With the increasing use of flexible and rigid video devices and more advanced airway training within emergency medicine training programs, the cricothyrotomy rate and techniques used may have declined. We sought to describe the current incidence of emergency department cricothyrotomy, the techniques used, success and failure rates, and risk factors.