cricothyroidotomy

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cricothyroidotomy (kry-koh-th'y-roid-ot-ŏmi) n. a technique for obtaining an emergency airway through the cricothyroid membrane when standard airway techniques have failed. needle c. cricothyroidotomy in which a large-bore intravenous cannula is inserted directly through the membrane. surgical c. cricothyroidotomy in which a surgical hole is made in the membrane and a cuffed tube, similar to a short endotracheal tube is inserted directly.

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