[Subglottic airway access: cricothyrotomy].

The anesthesiologist's chief responsibility is to ensure ventilation of the patient who is undergoing surgery or to apply resuscitation measures in life-threatening situations. Cricothyrotomy is one among many options available for maintaining airway patency. Usually it is the last resort but can be a lifesaving maneuver in the cannot-intubate, cannot-ventilate patient. The various types include cannula insertion, percutaneous puncture and dilatation, and surgical cricothyrotomy; techniques may be combined, as in the case of surgically inserting a cannula over a trocar.