Transcutaneous cricolaryngeal illumination as an adjunct during orotracheal intubation.

Transcutaneous cricolaryngeal illumination is an adjunct visualization technique that is useful during orotracheal intubation. A pilot study demonstrated that light from an external high-intensity cool-light source applied to the anterior neck, over the cricothyroid membrane, resulted in transillumination of the glottis in 70% of patients and provided enhanced laryngoscopic visualization of anatomic structures during oral endotracheal tube placement.