Document Detail


Cricoid pressure results in compression of the postcricoid hypopharynx: the esophageal position is irrelevant.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  19843793     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: Sellick described cricoid pressure (CP) as pinching the esophagus between the cricoid ring and the cervical spine. A recent report noted that with the application of CP, the esophagus moved laterally more than 90% of the time, questioning the efficacy of this maneuver. We designed this study to accurately define the anatomy of the Sellick maneuver and to investigate its efficacy. METHODS: Twenty-four nonsedated adult volunteers underwent neck magnetic resonance imaging with and without CP. Measurements were made of the postcricoid hypopharynx, airway compression, and lateral displacement of the cricoid ring during the application of CP. The relevant anatomy was reviewed. RESULTS: The hypopharynx, not the esophagus, is what lies behind the cricoid ring and is compressed by CP. The distal hypopharynx, the portion of the alimentary canal at the cricoid level, was fixed with respect to the cricoid ring and not mobile. With CP, the mean anterioposterior diameter of the hypopharynx was reduced by 35% and the lumen likely obliterated, and this compression was maintained even when the cricoid ring was lateral to the vertebral body. CONCLUSIONS: The location and movement of the esophagus is irrelevant to the efficiency of the Sellick's maneuver (CP) in regard to prevention of gastric regurgitation into the pharynx. The hypopharynx and cricoid ring move together as an anatomic unit. This relationship is essential to the efficacy and reliability of Sellick's maneuver. The magnetic resonance images show that compression of the alimentary tract occurs with midline and lateral displacement of the cricoid cartilage relative to the underlying vertebral body.
Authors:
Mark J Rice; Anthony A Mancuso; Charles Gibbs; Timothy E Morey; Nikolaus Gravenstein; Lori A Deitte
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Anesthesia and analgesia     Volume:  109     ISSN:  1526-7598     ISO Abbreviation:  Anesth. Analg.     Publication Date:  2009 Nov 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2009-10-21     Completed Date:  2009-11-05     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  1310650     Medline TA:  Anesth Analg     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  1546-52     Citation Subset:  AIM; IM    
Affiliation:
Departments of Anesthesiology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida 32610-0254, USA. mrice@anest.ufl.ed
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Anesthesia, General / adverse effects,  methods
Cervical Vertebrae / anatomy & histology
Cricoid Cartilage / anatomy & histology*
Esophagus / anatomy & histology*
Female
Humans
Hypopharynx / anatomy & histology*
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Pressure
Reference Values
Respiratory Aspiration / etiology,  prevention & control
Comments/Corrections
Comment In:
Anesth Analg. 2009 Nov;109(5):1363-6   [PMID:  19843770 ]
Anesth Analg. 2009 Nov;109(5):1360-2   [PMID:  19843769 ]

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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