How we do it: emergency percutaneous tracheostomy: a case series.

Emergency percutaneous tracheostomy is a safe alternative method for providing a definitive airway in an emergency, in trained hands. A general anaesthetic is not required allowing the procedure to be performed outside of the operating theatre. All of the necessary instruments to perform the percutaneous tracheostomy are pre-packaged in one kit. With experience the percutaneous tracheostomy can be performed without a bronchoscopy. Percutaneous tracheostomy can be utilised in a variety of emergency clinical situations requiring rapid access to the airway.