Use of cricothyroidostomy in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Surgical entry into the upper airway is not only important in emergency situations but also in the treatment of certain elective maxillofacial procedures. The procedure of choice by which surgical access is gained has traditionally been a tracheostomy. Although a cricothyroidostomy is easier and quicker to perform, with a higher degree of safety, it has generally been relegated to only emergency situations. The purpose of this paper is to present the anatomy, indications, and surgical technique of cricothyroidostomy. It is concluded that cricothyroidostomy, and not tracheostomy, is the preferred procedure for surgical establishment of an upper airway, either in elective maxillofacial surgical procedures, or in an emergency situation.