The cricoid yoke--a device for providing consistent and reproducible cricoid pressure.

An instrument is described which, when used during the accelerated induction technique, ensures that consistent and adequate cricoid pressure can be applied. Mothers undergoing general anaesthesia for elective Caesarean section were studied in order to illustrate the clinical application of the instrument. The consequences to intubating conditions of applying adequate cricoid pressure, and an assessment of the instrument's control over the incidence of regurgitation during operation were investigated.