The prevention of gastric inflation--a neglected benefit of cricoid pressure.
The ability of cricoid pressure to prevent inflation of the stomach during mask ventilation of a patient was studied. Fifty patients were randomly allocated to either have or not have cricoid pressure applied during a three-minute period of standardised mask ventilation. Patients who had had cricoid pressure applied had less gas in the stomach after mask ventilation (P less than 0.001). However, in a subgroup of patients considered difficult to ventilate, cricoid pressure seemed less successful in preventing gastric inflation. Cricoid pressure is a useful technique for reducing gastric inflation during mask ventilation, particularly in patients who are relatively easy to ventilate.
Petito
S P
SP
Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Australia.
Russell
W J
WJ
D003413:Cricoid Cartilage; D005260:Female; D005740:Gases; D006801:Humans; D007385:Intermittent Positive-Pressure Ventilation; D007817:Laryngeal Cartilages; D008297:Male; D008397:Masks; D008875:Middle Aged; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration; D011312:Pressure; D011897:Random Allocation; D013270:Stomach / Q000502:physiology*
D005740:Gases