A paramedian approach to cricothyroidotomy as a novel method of emergency airway management: A case report

The needle cricothyroidotomy is a method of emergency Front of neck access of airway, that is used in patients who cannot be intubated and cannot be oxygenated. Midline approach is the commonly and conventionally followed method, for which the identification of the cricothyroid membrane in midline is the pre-requisite. Hereby, we discuss the emergency airway management of a patient with diagnosis of advanced hypopharyngeal carcinoma and status post-radiotherapy to neck, presented with acute respiratory distress and stridor. In view of unidentifiable anatomy in midline, a novel paramedian approach for needle cricothyroidotomy was used. We propose a novel paramedian approach to cricothyroidotomy as an alternative to the traditional median approach, providing a newer option for emergency airway management.