A Pathway to Optimise Performing an Emergency Tracheostomy in Patients Failing Endotracheal Intubation

Abstract

Emergency tracheostomy is a timely life saving procedure bringing to the fore the expert skills of the difficult airway team comprising the otolaryngologist, anaesthesiologist and theatre team or emergency department staff. Adequate advanced planning has to be adopted in these situations for achieving a good outcome. We present our optimal pathway practiced within our team to  achieve successful outcomes during emergency tracheostomies starting from planning to the use of pressure bag in cases of failed intubations.