title: Airway difficulties caused by improperly applied cricoid pressure.
abstract: Cricoid pressure, when properly applied, may prevent gastric regurgitation and may improve the view of laryngoscopy. When improperly applied, however, it can impede laryngoscopy and mask-ventilation. When faced with a "cannot intubate" or "cannot mask-ventilate" situation, clinicians should reevaluate the manner with which the assistant is applying cricoid pressure and must be prepared to adjust or even to release it.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Prince of Wales Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ling
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Tay
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003413:Cricoid Cartilage; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D017214:Laryngeal Masks; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D008297:Male; D011312:Pressure