Retrograde Tracheal Intubation through Cricothyroid Membrane and Cricotracheal Ligament

Yun, Sang Min; Kim, Young Saeng; Cho, Seong Doo; Song, Nam Weon

Abstract

Numerous devices and techniques have been devised to facillitate the difficult endotracheal intubation. Percutaneous retrograde intubation was first described by Waters, who used a Tuohy needle to puncture the cricothyroid membrane and an epidural catheter as a guideline in 1963 and many variations on the technique have been described. Failure to intubate 2 male adult patients were planned retrograde tracheal intubation using the cricothyroid membrane. While the patients were awake, and after adequate local anesthesia was obtained, a 16G Medicut was punctured through cricothyroid membrane. After confirmation of the intratracheal position by aspiration of air into syringe, the opening of the Medicut was directed upward foward the larynx and the epidural catheter was inserted through it and advanced retrograde between the vocal cords and into mouth. The epidural catheter tip was passed through the Murphy's eye from outside to inside and out of the tracheal tube. By keeping the catheter taut and coincidently pulling back, the tube was advanced into trachea. Correct positioning of the tracheal tube inside the trachea was confirmed by end-tidal carbon dioxide monitoring and auscultation. Another 2 male adult patients were intubated by using cricotracheal retrograde approach method. We experienced successful retrograde tracheal intubation without significant complications using an epidural catheter through cricothyroid membrane and cricotracheal ligament in 4 male adult patients who were predicted impossibility of simple orotracheal intubation. (Korean J Anesthesiol 1995; 29: 304~309)