title: The effect of the Trendelenburg position on lower oesophageal sphincter tone.
abstract: Measurements were made of gastric, lower oesophageal and barrier pressures in the supine, moderate and steep Trendelenburg positions in 10 healthy female patients during balanced anaesthesia. Adoption of the Trendelenburg position resulted in no significant changes in any measurement, with the exception of a small increase (0.1 kPa) in intragastric pressure in the steep head-down position. We conclude that the steep Trendelenburg position should not predispose to regurgitation in healthy patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Heijke
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Key
mesh_terms: D000768:Anesthesia, General; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009129:Muscle Tonus / Q000502:physiology*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D011229:Preanesthetic Medication; D011312:Pressure; D013270:Stomach / Q000502:physiology; D013484:Supination / Q000502:physiology