Practice of Ultrasound-Guided Palpation of Neck Landmarks Improves Accuracy of External Palpation of the Cricothyroid Membrane.

Background: Ultrasonography can accurately identify the cricothyroid membrane; however, its impact on the subsequent accuracy of external palpation is not known. In this study, we tested the ability of anesthesia participants to identify the midpoint of the cricothyroid membrane using external palpation with and without ultrasound (US)-guided practice.

Methods: Following institutional ethics approval and informed consent, anesthesia participants consisting of anesthesia residents, fellows, and practicing anesthesia assistants underwent didactic teaching on neck landmarks.