DAS Project Grant

Rotunda Hospital, Dublin

Title
Creation and validation of anatomically correct cricothyroidotomy models for training by 3-D printing

Amount
£6,525

Scientific Abstract
The cricothyroid membrane is the recommended site of access to the airway during cricothyroidotomy to provide emergency oxygenation. Despite the apparent simplicity of the technique, this rescue manoeuvre frequently fails to achieve its goals and complications are numerous. Among the reasons for failure is the lack of anatomically realistic training models particularly for clinical situations in which anatomy is predictably difficult e.g. morbid obesity. We propose to develop and validate anatomically realistic modular training models which be made freely available for electronic downloading and local 3-D printing by interested groups.