[Invasive techniques in emergency medicine. IV. Cricothyrotomy in emergency situations].

Cricothyrotomy is a very invasive technique to secure the airway in an emergency but is irreplacable when less invasive techniques fail or cannot be instigated under the prevailing circumstances. Various techniques have been reported which can be subdivided into anatomical-surgical preparation or puncture techniques. The preferred strategy is mostly oriented towards the departmental standard procedure which will be decided by the clinical situation. Training for each procedure can be carried out in intensive care departments, and using autopsy material or a manekin. Various methods of cricothyrotomy will be discussed here, and additionally an anatomical preparation and two puncture techniques will be demonstrated in detail.