Randomized crossover trial comparing two open surgical cricothyrotomy techniques.

Objective: Emergency cricothyrotomy is a life-saving procedure that is performed in "can't intubate can't oxygenate" scenario. A recent study comparing an open surgical technique using a bougie and endotracheal tube (ETT) with a Seldinger technique using the Cook Melker catheter showed that the open technique was quicker but suggested that the open technique could be quicker if using the Melker catheter instead of a bougie and ETT. The objective of this study was to compare the surgical technique using bougie and ETT with an open technique using the Melker catheter.