Skill of localisation of the cricothyroid membrane by students of emergency medicine – an experiment with cadavers.

INTRODUCTION: : Patients develop different types of respiratory diseases and conditions which require opening of the airways with instrumentation. If endotracheal intubation for emergency oxygen supply is impossible, the Orly remaining way is conicopuncture. The study aimed to assess the skill of localisation of the cricothyroid membrane by students of medical rescue. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 27 students of medical rescue at a University in Poland were enrolled in the study. The inclusion criteria were to pass an exam conducted on dummies. A head-and-neck preparation was the research tool: the students were to locate the cricothyroid membrane on it. The Delphi method was employed and a statistical analysis was carried out on figures. RESULTS: The study enrolled 9 women and 18 men. The mean age was 22.15 (SD±1.53). Only 13 students localised the cricothyroid membrane correctly (48.15%). The students showed a high level of satisfaction from participation in classes (4.81 points in the five-point Likert scale). CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that classes with dummies do not prepare students sufficiently for correct location of the cricothyroid membrane, which may lead to inability to perform conicopuncture to save lives. Implementation of classes with aid of cadavers in the curriculum of the medical rescue study programme must be considered.