This article, written by a third year diploma student in operating department practice, examines the literature relating to the safe use of cricoid pressure. To ensure that the patient is adequately protected from acid aspiration syndrome, the anaesthetic practitioner should be aware of the dangers of faulty technique when utilising Sellick's manoeuvre.
DravidR.M., PopatM.T., ReedP., StonehamM.2000Effect of Cricoid Pressure on Insertion of and Ventilation Through the Cuffed Oropharyngeal AirwayBritish Journal of Anaesthesia84(3) 363–366
5.
EnglehardtT., WebsterN.R.1999Pulmonary Aspiration of Gastric Contents in AnaesthesiaBritish Journal of Anaesthesia83(3) 453–460
6.
FarmanJ.2004Acid Aspiration SyndromeBritish Journal of Perioperative Nursing14(6) 266–274
7.
GardinerE., GrindrodE.2005Applying Cricoid PressureBritish Journal of Perioperative Nursing15(4) 164–167
8.
HeathK.J., PalmerM., FletcherS.J.1996Fracture of the Cricoid Cartilage After Sellick's ManoeuvreBritish Journal of Anaesthesia76877–878
RuncieC.J., GilliesG.2003Induction of General Anaesthesia. In: MortonN.S. (ed) Assisting the AnaesthetistOxford, Oxford University Press
15.
RyanT.2002Fundamentals of emergency and obstetric anaesthesia. In: DaveyA., InceC.S. (eds) Fundamentals of Operating Department PracticeLondon, Greenwich Medical Media
16.
SchmidtA., AkesonJ.2001Practice and Knowledge of Cricoid Pressure in Southern SwedenActa Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica45(10) 1210–1214
17.
SellickB.A.1961Cricoid Pressure to Control Regurgitation of Stomach Contents During Induction of AnaesthesiaThe Lancet2404–406