Emergency Tracheotomy for the "Café Coronary"

Abstract

To the Editor: —As a pathologist I am accustomed to making rather generous incisions in my patients and therefore, from time to time, I reacquaint myself with the surgical technique involved in performing the emergency tracheotomy. The Cafe Coronary by R. K. Haugen ( JAMA 186 :142 [Oct 12] 1963) reaffirmed my belief that this effort is not wasted. I would like to add to Dr. Haugen's special report one minor point. While you rush the maitre d'hotel to the kitchen for the sharp paring knife, steal a glance at the progress of the victim's meal. If he or she is on the soup course or downing the parfait dessert, it might be wise to reconsider the diagnosis of impacted food in the hypopharynx.