• Jacob Melchiors, Tobias Todsen, Philip Nilsson, Kasper Wennervaldt, Birgitte Charabi, Morten Bøttger, Lars Konge, and Christian von Buchwald.
• Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Centre of Head and Orthopedics, Rigshospitalet, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Denmark Jacob.melchiors@gmail.com.
• Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015 Feb 1;152(2):260-5.

ObjectiveEmergency cricothyrodotomy (EC) is a lifesaving procedure. Evidence-based assessment of training effects and competency levels is relevant to all departments involved in emergency airway management. As most training uses low-fidelity models, the predictive value of good performance on such a model becomes relevant with regard to performance on a high-fidelity model (cadaver). This requires a valid assessment tool for EC performance.Study DesignPsychometric study on low-fidelity models and human cadavers.SettingUniversity hospital.Subjects And MethodsAn assessment tool was created. Sixteen physicians (7 experienced surgeons and 9 novice physicians) performed an EC on a low-fidelity model and a cadaver. Two blinded raters assessed video recordings of performances using the assessment tool.ResultsWe found a high interrater reliability, based on a Pearson's r (0.81), and good evidence for validity, based on successfully distinguishing the 2 groups, using an independent samples t test (P < .001). We found a good correlation between performance on a low-fidelity model and the cadaver with an R (2) = 0.78.ConclusionThe tool for assessing EC competence proved reliable and valid. Performance on a low-fidelity model measured this way is a good predictor of performance in a more lifelike situation.© American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Foundation 2014.

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