Work

Emergency surgical cricothyroidotomy in blunt neck trauma as a bridge to a definitive airway: A case report

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Blunt laryngo-tracheal injuries are rare but potentially fatal, with airway compromise being the most immediate and life-threatening issue, making early recognition and rapid action essential. Here we report a case of a 19-year-old male who sustained high-velocity blunt trauma to the neck and presented with a severely threatened airway, which was initially secured by an emergency cricothyroidotomy, which served as a temporary bridge, and later managed definitively with surgical tracheostomy. This case highlights the importance of timely emergency airway management in blunt neck trauma and the significant challenges faced by anesthesiologists when no feasible backup airway plan exists in such critical situations.

Source: JCA advances.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jcadva.2025.100165

Authors: Janani Kannan, Kirandeep Kaur, Richa Kewalramani, Namratha Gudivada

Institution: All India Institute of Medical Sciences Jodhpur

Language: English

Topic: Airway Management and Intubation Techniques

Subfield: Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,200