Technique

Technique Overview

 

Step 1:  Obtain baseline view of the sonoanatomy of the patient’s airway prior to intubation

  • Place the high frequency linear probe above the patient’s suprasternal notch in the transverse plane​  
  • Identify the trachea, thyroid cartilage, esophagus  

 

Step 2: Choose between static ​and​​ dynamic technique for Airway POCUS ​     ​  

  • Static: intubate and repeat the ultrasound​.​​ ​ ​Identify ​the double tract sign if present  
  • Dynamic: keep the probe ​position​ed in the suprasternal notch. Watch ​for the snowstorm​ (motion artifact) and double trachea ​​signs​.​  

 

Step 3: Assess for the depth of the ETT 

  • Evaluate lung sliding  

 

Step 4: If urgent cricothyroidotomy is required, consider ultrasound identification of the cricothyroid membrane

 

A comprehensive explanation of each step is provided in the sections to follow