cricoid pressure

Q: In case of vomiting during intubation cricoid pressure (Sellick's maneuver) should be applied to prevent aspiration? 

A) True 

B) False

Answer: B

In case of vomiting during intubation cricoid pressure should be avoided or removed. There is a huge 'danger' of esophageal rupture if the esophagus cannot release the pressure with vomiting at either end.

In other words, aspiration should be accepted as a lower risk instead of esophageal rupture.  

#procedures

Reference:

1. Zdravkovic M, Rice MJ, Brull SJ. The Clinical Use of Cricoid Pressure: First, Do No Harm. Anesth Analg. 2021 Jan;132(1):261-267. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000004360. PMID: 31397697.

2. Salem MR, Khorasani A, Zeidan A, Crystal GJ. Cricoid Pressure Controversies: Narrative Review. Anesthesiology. 2017 Apr;126(4):738-752. doi: 10.1097/ALN.0000000000001489. PMID: 28045709.