…and respiratory acidosis, or a markedly increased work of breathing with impending exhaustion. Threatened airway obstruction: inhalation injury, anaphylaxis, deep neck infection, an expanding haematoma…

…clean with a tracheostomy or copious secretions Subclavian vein Most comfortable for the patient, the most stable dressing, lowest risk of infection and thrombosis with…

…cribriform plate into the cranium Absolute Corrosive injury of the oesophagus or stomach after ingestion of a caustic substance Absolute Choanal atresia or an occluded…

…local practice Relative Skin infection, herpes zoster or burns over the puncture site Relative Mechanical ventilation with a high PEEP (an increased risk of pneumothorax…

…should be utilized. The cannula is inserted into the 4th or 5th intercostal space along the anterior axillary line. Thoracostomy This method is generally deemed…

…Infection or burns over the puncture site. Osteogenesis imperfecta and severe osteoporosis (relative). An inability to identify the landmarks. Choice of vein and cannula size…

…first. Procedure Choice of insertion site The left lower quadrant is the first choice : the abdominal wall is thinner there than on the right, and…

…down into the larynx. The difficult airway rarely kills because the tube would not pass, but because the team keeps trying to intubate instead of…

…swallows — the pharyngeal muscles then guide the tip into the oesophagus rather than into the trachea. Coughing, stridor or an inability to speak means malposition…

…aortic balloon pump. Assessment of stroke volume variation as part of fluid management. Contraindications Infection, burn or trauma over the insertion site. Insufficient collateral circulation…