International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia
Volume 18, Issue 2 , Pages 106-110 , April 2009

Life-saving or ineffective? An observational study of the use of cricoid pressure and maternal outcome in an African setting

  • P.M. Fenton

      Affiliations

    • Corresponding Author InformationCorrespondence to: P. M. Fenton, Formerly Associate Professor of Anaesthesia, College of Medicine, Malawi, present address: Meyra, 47800 Agnac, France.
    • ,
  • F. Reynolds

,Accepted 22 July 2008.

References 

  1. Sellick BA. Cricoid pressure to control regurgitation of stomach contents during induction of anaesthesia. Lancet. 1961;2:404–406
  2. Vanner RG, Pryle BJ. Regurgitation and oesophageal rupture with cricoid pressure: a cadaver study. Anaesthesia. 1992;47:732–735
  3. O’Sullivan G, Shennan A. Labour – a gastronomic experience! Int J Obstet Anesth. 2002;11:1–3
  4. Fenton PM, Whitty CJM, Reynolds F. Caesarean section in Malawi: prospective study of maternal and perinatal mortality. BMJ. 2003;327:587–591
  5. Kopka A, Crawford J. Cricoid pressure: a simple, yet effective biofeedback trainer. Eur J Anaesthesiol. 2004;21:443–447
  6. Hartsilver EL, Vanner RG. Airway obstruction with cricoid pressure. Anaesthesia. 2000;55:208–211
  7. Vanner RG. Tolerance of cricoid pressure by conscious volunteers. Int J Obstet Anesth. 1992;1:195–198
  8. Vanner RG, O’Dwyer JP, Pryle BJ, Reynolds F. Upper oesophageal sphincter pressure and the effect of cricoid pressure. Anaesthesia. 1992;47:95–100
  9. Benhamou D (proposer), Vanner R (opposer). Cricoid pressure is unnecessary in obstetric general anaesthesia. Int J Obstet Anesth 1995; 4: 30–33.
  10. Tourtier JP, Compain M, Petitjeans F, et al. Acid aspiration prophylaxis in obstetrics in France: a comparative survey of 1998 vs. 1988 French practice. Eur J Anaesthesiol. 2004;21:89–94
  11. Helbo-Hansen HS, Bang U. Current Danish practice for aspiration prophylaxis in obstetric anaesthesia: a survey. Int J Obstet Anesth. 1993;2:233–235
  12. Vanner RG. Mechanisms of regurgitation and its prevention with cricoid pressure. Int J Obstet Anesth. 1993;2:207–215

☆ The Obstetric Anaesthetists Association contributed to the expenses of the study, but played no part in its design or conduct.

PII: S0959-289X(08)00114-3

doi: 10.1016/j.ijoa.2008.07.006

International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia
Volume 18, Issue 2 , Pages 106-110 , April 2009

Article Tools