Prospective randomized double blind study for determining the efficacy of Sellick’s maneuver for preventing gastric distension during mask ventilation

Abstract

Sellick’s maneuver is a technique in which pressure is applied over the cricoid cartilage to occlude the upper part of esophagus which passes behind it. It is used to prevent regurgitation of gastric and esophageal contents and gastric distension during intubation and mask ventilation. This research is conducted to determine the efficacy of Sellick's maneuver in preventing gastric distension during mask ventilation using ultrasound. Sixty patients posted for elective surgery were selected and randomly allocated to a group receiving Sellick's Maneuver (SM) or No Sellick's Maneuver (NSM). Patients of both groups had their gastric antral cross sectional area (CSA) measured using ultrasound before induction of anesthesia and after intubation and mask ventilation. The SM group was intubated after application of Sellick's maneuver. Gastric volume was then calculated from the gastric antral CSA. Changes in gastric volume among SM and NSM group were assessed to determine whether Sellick's maneuver is effective in preventing gastric distension. Changes in gastric antral CSA and gastric volume before anesthesia induction and post-intubation is lower in the SM group as compared to the NSM group. Sellick's Maneuver is effective in preventing gastric distension.