Type of Surgery

To perform a cricothyroidotomy, the surgeon makes an incision into the cricoid cartilage of the throat (B). The incision is held open while an endotracheal tube is inserted (C). The tube is secured in the trachea to maintain an airway for the patient (D). (Illustration by GGS Inc.) To perform a cricothyroidotomy, the surgeon makes an incision into the cricoid cartilage of the throat (B). The incision is held open while an endotracheal tube is inserted (C). The tube is secured in the trachea to maintain an airway for the patient (D). (Illustration by GGS Inc.)




Other Information

Mastoidectomy is done to make the ear safe, since infection in the skull may be dangerous and can cause infection in and around the brain. With this procedure we hope to make the ear dry and possibly improve the hearing.


-P H Jones

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