<procedure, surgery> An emergency procedure where a cut or passageway is made in the cricothyroid membrane. ... (27 Sep 1997) ... 
Type: Term Pronunciation: krī′kō-thī′roy-dot′ō-mē Synonyms: cricothyrotomy
a procedure used to surgically establish an airway in the patient's throat when intubation isn't possibly because of swelling or bleeding