The application of cricoid pressure. An assessment and a survey of its practice.

A simple test rig was developed to assess the force applied during the application of cricoid pressure. Anaesthetists and paramedical personnel familiar with Sellick's manoeuvre were tested yielding results which indicate an unacceptably wide variation in performance in each group. The mean force was 46.4 N but 47% failed to reach a force of 44 N. In addition a survey was undertaken of trained anaesthetic staff to identify the current status of the manoeuvre. Of those sampled 78% routinely employed Sellick's manoeuvre and over 70% had experienced a problem with its application which exposed the patient to the risk of regurgitation.