title: Effect of cricoid pressure on gastro-oesophageal reflux in awake subjects.
abstract: This study aimed to evaluate whether cricoid pressure is associated with a high risk of gastro-oesophageal reflux. Fifteen awake, fasted volunteers were studied. A cricoid pressure of 44 N was applied for 60 s by resting a padded yoke over the cricoid cartilage. Using continuous oesophageal pH monitoring, no volunteer had gastro-oesophageal reflux during cricoid pressure, although one subject had a reflux spike soon after relieving cricoid pressure. We conclude with 95% confidence that the incidence of gastro-oesophageal reflux during cricoid pressure is not more than 20%.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Anaesthesia, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK.
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Skinner
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Bedforth
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Girling
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Mahajan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003413:Cricoid Cartilage; D004947:Esophagus / Q000378:metabolism; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D011312:Pressure / Q000009:adverse effects