A construction worker met with an accident and a huge block fell over his face. He had sever maxillofacial and laryngeal injury. He is not able to open his mouth and on evaluation he was found to have multiple fractures and obstruction in nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal region. In order to stabilize his airway the following procedure was done for him. Which of the options below describes the following procedure?

Ans. (a) CricothyroidotomyRef: Bailey and Love Page 691* In patients who have suffered severe head and neck trauma and who may have an unstable cervical spine fracture, cricothyroidotomy may be more suitable. If it is possible, the patient should be laid supine with padding placed under the shoulders and the extended neck kept as steady as possible in the midline. This aids palpation of the thyroid and cricoid cartilage between the thumb and index finger of the free hand. The movements of the fingers of the free hand are important in this technique.* For emergency Tracheostomy vertical incision is made in neck midline* For Elective tracheostomy horizontal incision is made.