Prospective randomised trial comparing Parker tip and Magill tip endotracheal tubes for cricothyroidotomy

INTERVENTION: Emergency cricothyroidotomy using a scalpel bougie endotracheal tube technique will be performed. This technique involves a transverse stab incision through the skin and cricothyroid membrane or trachea. Once inserted, the scalpel is rotated 90 degrees creating a triangular hole through which a bougie can be inserted down the trachea. This bougie is then used to railroad an endotracheal tube. This trial will compare the Magill tip (firm) and the Parker tip (soft) endotracheal tubes. Three anaesthetists will perform this procedure on 9 cadavers, and will use equal numbers of Magill or Parker tip tubes in a randomised fashion using a crossover design. Each cadaver will be used three times, with one cricothyroid and two tracheal incisions resulting in a total of 27 procedures. CONDITION: Cricothyroidotomy PRIMARY OUTCOME: Time to insert the endotracheal tube (ETT) through a scalpel incision in a cadavers neck into the trachea. SECONDARY OUTCOME: Length of tube and bougie advancement. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Specialist anaesthetists of at least two years experience