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This case series has limitations. Although we recognize each Disclaimer
of these cases highlights the importance of the combination of Opinions or assertions contained herein are the private views
competent medical training along with the appropriate tech- of the authors and are not to be construed as official or as
nology, these conclusions are based on the clinical experiences reflecting the views of the Department of the Air Force, the
of only four patients. In particular, comprehensive outcome Department of the Army, or the Department of Defense.
data are lacking for two of the clinical cases. However, the
summaries from the healthcare providers performing the SC Disclosures
procedures were available. Nevertheless, we believe these data The authors have nothing to disclose.
suggest that commercial cricothyrotomy kits may simplify and
optimize airway management on the battlefield. 18 References
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Find the Perfect Opportunity 11. Pugh HE, et al. A review of pre-admission advanced airway man-
with EmCare agement in combat casualties, Helmand Province 2013. J R Army
Med Corps. 2015;161(2):121–126.
12. Lairet JR, et al. Prehospital interventions performed in a combat
Military Physicians and zone: a prospective multicenter study of 1,003 combat wounded.
J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2012;73(2 suppl 1):S38–S42.
Physician Assistants 13. Robinson KJ, et al. A 12-year experience with prehospital crico-
FOR EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS thyrotomies. Air Med J. 2001;20(6):27–30.
MOONLIGHTING OR FULL TIME 14. Mabry RL, et al. A comparison of two open surgical cricothy-
roidotomy techniques by military medics using a cadaver model.
Ann Emerg Med. 2014;63(1):1–5.
Featured Opportunities: 15. Murphy C, et al. Comparison of three cuffed emergency percu-
• CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital - Shoreline taneous cricothyroidotomy devices to conventional surgical cri-
cothyroidotomy in a porcine model. Br J Anaesth. 2011;106(1):
(Corpus Christi, TX) 57–64.
• CHRISTUS Jasper Memorial Hospital 16. Mabry RL. Tourniquet use on the battlefield. Mil Med. 2006; 171
(5):352–356.
(Jasper, Port Arthur, TX) 17. Welling DR, et al. A brief history of the tourniquet. J Vasc Surg.
• Metro/Northeast Methodist 2012;55(1):286–290.
(San Antonio, TX) 18. Mabry RL. An analysis of battlefield cricothyrotomy in Iraq and
Afghanistan. J Spec Oper Med. 2012;12(1):17–23.
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20 | JSOM Volume 17, Edition 3/Fall 2017