Impaired Ventilation and Oxygenation After Emergency Cricothyrotomy: Recommendations for the Management of Suboptimal Invasive Airway Access.

Invasive airway access by emergent cricothyrotomy remains an essential treatment modality in "can't intubate/can't ventilate" scenarios. Although numerous commercial devices are available, limited comparative data exist with regard to the ventilation and oxygenation parameters of these devices. We report a case of severely compromised respiratory function while using the Quicktrach II, a commercially available emergency cricothyrotomy device. Because of oxygenation and ventilatory insufficiency, our patient required emergent removal of the device and surgical tracheostomy to improve respiratory function. When confronted with a difficult airway, anesthesiologists and surgeons should be aware of commonly encountered cricothyrotomy devices and their potential limitations.