An Innovative and Inexpensive Model for Teaching Cricothyrotomy

Cricothyrotomy is considered an integral procedure in the practice of emergency medicine. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education requires residents in emergency medicine to demonstrate proficiency in this skill, but because cricothyrotomy is rarely encountered in the clinical setting, alternative methods to teach this high-stakes procedure become an important curricular component in residency training. We present an innovative and inexpensive method for teaching cricothyrotomy using animal trachea and synthetic skin.

[1]  J. Marx,et al.  Rapid-sequence intubation at an emergency medicine residency: success rate and adverse events during a two-year period. , 1999, Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine.

[2]  R. Hamilton,et al.  Declining rate of cricothyrotomy in trauma patients with an emergency medicine residency: implications for skills training. , 1998, Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine.

[3]  K J Rhee,et al.  Open thoracotomy procedural competency: validity study of teaching and assessment modalities. , 1996, Annals of emergency medicine.

[4]  S. Hayden,et al.  The model of the clinical practice of emergency medicine: a 2-year update. , 2005, Annals of emergency medicine.

[5]  J. Sakles,et al.  Comparison of 2 cricothyrotomy techniques: standard method versus rapid 4-step technique. , 1998, Annals of emergency medicine.

[6]  J. Olsen,et al.  Feasibility of obtaining family consent for teaching cricothyrotomy on the newly dead in the emergency department. , 1995, Annals of emergency medicine.

[7]  J. Kline,et al.  Emergency department resuscitative procedures: animal laboratory training improves procedural competency and speed. , 2002, Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine.