Cricoid Pressure During Intubation of Trauma Patients: Helpful or Harmful?

The purported value of cricoid pressure during intubation is to protect the pulmonary tree from aspiration of vomitus. However, recent evidence suggests that cricoid pressure impairs laryngoscopic view, reduces bag-valve-mask ventilation efficiency, and does not prevent aspiration (Ann Emerg Med 2007; 50:653). In a prospective observational study, researchers compared the effect on laryngoscopic view of three laryngeal maneuvers (release of cricoid pressure, BURP [backwards, upwards, rightward pressure], and laryngeal manipulation under direct vision) in 400 adult trauma patients who were intubated with cricoid pressure in a London air–ground emergency medical services system during a 16-month period. Airways were managed by attending or se…