Airway obstruction following application of cricoid pressure.
The widely practiced rapid-sequence induction with application of cricoid pressure is designed to facilitate endotracheal intubation in patients considered to be at high risk of aspiration. We describe a case in which this maneuver was performed on a patient with an undiagnosed traumatic injury to the larynx. The resulting airway obstruction required emergency surgical intervention. The clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of such injuries are discussed.
Department of Anesthesia, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114.
G D
GD
Shorten
P H
PH
Alfille
R E
RE
Gliklich
D000328:Adult; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology*; D003413:Cricoid Cartilage; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000379:methods*; D007830:Larynx / Q000293:injuries*; D008297:Male; D011312:Pressure