Cricoid pressure: an alternative view

[Aspiration syndrome: epidemiology, pathophysiology, and therapy]

Aspiration syndromes are important causes of morbidity and mortality during general anaesthesia as well as in the intensive care unit. Up to 30% of patients with aspiration may develop an acute respiratory distress syndrome, with an attributed mortality of 16%. Although aspiration syndrome is not a frequent event, the anaesthesist must be familiar with the management of this complication and must know the risk factors for it. Discrimination between pneumonitis, an abacterial inflammation, and pneumonia is of utmost importance because treatment strategies differ; for instance, treatment is merely supportive in pneumonitis. This review gives an overview of the epidemiology and pathophysiology of aspiration syndrome, strategies to avoid aspiration, and a brief discussion of treatment concepts.

Cricoid Pressure in Emergency Department Rapid Sequence Tracheal Intubations: A Risk-Benefit Analysis

Cricoid pressure is considered an integral part of patient safety in rapid sequence tracheal intubation and emergency airway management. Cricoid pressure is applied to prevent the regurgitation of gastric contents into the pharynx and subsequent aspiration into the pulmonary tree. This review analyzes the published evidence supporting cricoid pressure, along with potential problems, including increased difficulty with tracheal intubation and ventilation. According to the evidence available, the universal and continuous application of cricoid pressure during emergency airway management is questioned. An awareness of the benefits and potential problems with technique allows the practitioner to better judge when cricoid pressure should be used and instances in which it should be removed.