A comparison of scalpel-bougie-tube and Cric-Guide® in a simulated obese bleeding tissue model

Abstract

Background: Difficult Airway Society (DAS) guidelines for the management of unanticipated difficult intubation recommends the scalpel-bougie-tube (SBT) technique for emergency front of neck access (eFONA). Additionally, they recommend an 8–10 cm midline vertical incision in the obese patient. A novel cricothyroidotomy introducer, the Cric-Guide® has been developed to facilitate eFONA. We sought to compare the time required to secure eFONA using the Cric-Guide® compared to the SBT in a tissue model simulating the obese bleeding neck.