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compared with TT regarding ease of use, confidence in per- 4. Talving P, DuBose J, Inaba K, Demetriades D. Conversion of
forming the procedure, minimal required training to achieve emergent cricothyrotomy to tracheotomy in trauma patients.
proficiency, and low technical complexity. Considering the Arch Surg. 2010;145(1):87–91. doi:10.1001/archsurg.2009.137
familiarity and proficiency with the CTT technique that hu- 5. Katos MG, Goldenberg D. Emergency cricothyrotomy. Operative
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man healthcare clinicians already possess as well as the di- 2007.05.002
rect translation of knowledge and skills for performing CTT 6. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Na-
in humans to performing in canines, it seems impractical to tional EMS Core Content. Accessed December 24, 2018. https://
learn a novel, perishable, and more technically complex skill www.ems.gov/assets/National_EMS_Core_Content.pdf
solely for the purpose of treating MWDs, a patient population 7. National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians
that is not common to human healthcare clinicians. Although (NAEMT) Airway and ventilation. In: Prehospital Trauma Life
Support. 8th ed. Jones & Bartlett Learning; 2015:163–216.
the need to conduct an emergent surgical airway procedure on 8. Palmer LE. Concepts of prehospital advanced airway manage-
an MWD in the field is most likely uncommon, it remains a ment in the operational K9: a focus on cricothyrotomy. J Spec
possibility. As such, veterinary and nonveterinary healthcare Oper Med. 2019;19(1):99–106. doi:10.55460/KV13-RV6C
clinicians should possess the knowledge and training for the 9. Lagutchik M, Baker J, Brown J, et al. “Clinical Practice Guide-
optimal emergent airway technique. Based on the findings lines for Military Working Dogs.” Joint Trauma System. Pub-
from this study in conjunction with similar results from pre- lished November 19, 2018. Accessed August 24, 2024. https://
viously conducted studies, the authors recommend CTT over jts.health.mil/assets/docs/cpgs/Military_Working_Dog_CPG_12_
Dec_2018_ID16.pdf
TT as a viable first-line, prehospital emergent airway access 10. Canine Tactical Combat Casualty Care (K9TCCC). K9TCCC
technique for MWDs, especially for veterinarians and human Guidelines for veterinary and medical providers. Allogy. Pub-
healthcare clinicians with limited surgical experience or those lished May 01, 2023. Accessed August 24, 2024. https://www.
not proficient in performing TT. 11,13–16 google.com/url?q=https://books.allogy.com/web/tenant/8/books/
b6090112-9705-4d1f-a270-c7ffbac69764/%23id12113ed0-
b27b-4b7c-be0b-cb09bc246a72&sa=D&source=docs&ust=17
Acknowledgments 24763232038659&usg=AOvVaw3uAFpc477pS1jdGlOgVEbD
The authors acknowledge the contribution of the U.S. Army 11. Hansen IK, Eriksen T. Cricothyrotomy: possible first-choice
Institute of Surgical Research Veterinary support group, espe- emergency airway access for treatment of acute upper airway ob-
cially Mr. Christopher Rose and LTC Michael Bellin, for their struction in dogs and cats. Vet Rec. 2014;174(1):17. doi:10.1136/
assistance with setting up this study. vr.101244
12. Palmer LE, Yee A. TacMed updates: K9 Tactical Emergency Ca-
Author Contributions sualty Care Direct Threat Care guidelines. J Spec Oper Med.
2017;17(2):174–187. doi:10.55460/PXB1-BL4Y
TE, EV, and LP: conception and design of the study. TE, LP, 13. Hanel RM, Palmer L, Baker J et al. Best practice recommenda-
and SS: execution of the experiment and data recording. TE tions for prehospital veterinary care of dogs and cats. J Vet Emerg
and LP: manuscript drafting and review. TE and AM: results Crit Care. 2016;26(2):166–233. doi:10.1111/vec.12455
and statistical analysis. All authors contributed to the article 14. Hardjo S, Goodwin W, Haworth MD, Purcell SL. A proposed
and approved the submitted version. guideline for performance of emergency surgical airways in small
animals: analysis of five unsuccessfully managed cannot intu-
bate, cannot oxygenate cases. Vet Sci. 2022;9(2):39. doi:10.3390/
Disclaimer vetsci9020039
The views expressed in this manuscript are those of the au- 15. Hardjo S, Nash KJ, Day SK, Haworth MD. Elective cricothyrot-
thors and do not reflect the official policy or position of the omy in a dog with transient laryngeal paralysis secondary to Aus-
Departments of the Army, the Department of Defense, or the tralian paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus) envenomation. Aust Vet
U.S. Government. J. 2022;100(9):440–445. doi:10.1111/avj.13175
16. Hardjo S, Croton C, Woldeyohannes S, Purcell SL, Haworth MD.
Cricothyrotomy is faster than tracheostomy for emergency front-
Disclosures of-neck airway access in dogs. Front Vet Sci. 2021;7:593687. doi:
The authors have nothing to disclose. 10.3389/fvets.2020.593687
17. American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). Canine body and
Funding muscle score system. Published October 9, 2019. Accessed August
This study was supported by a grant from the Defense Health 30, 2024. https://www.aaha.org/resources/life-stage-canine-2019/
Agency. body-and-muscle-condition-score/
18. Hessert MJ, Bennett BL. Optimizing emergent surgical cricothy-
rotomy for use in austere environments. Wilderness Environ Med.
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