Cricoid Pressure Research Articles

Is 30 Newtons of Prevention Worth a Pound of a Cure?—Cricoid Pressure

Is 30 Newtons of Prevention Worth a Pound of a Cure?—Cricoid Pressure

North Polar Tube Reduces the Risk of Epistaxis during Nasotracheal Intubation: A prospective, Randomized Clinical Trial

ObjectiveIn this study, a north polar tube (Portex® North Polar tube [Ivory PVC Portex tube; Smiths Medical International, Hythe, United Kingdom]) (NPT) and spiral tube (ST) were compared for their ability to provide a nasal airway in patients during maxillofacial surgery.MethodsPatients who were aged 18 to 65 years with American Society of Anaesthesiologists score 1 to 2 and Mallampati score 1 to 2 were included in the study. The anesthesia technique was standardized in all patients. Patients were divided into 2 groups randomly: the NPT (n = 35) and ST groups (n = 35). Anesthesia was administered with 1% to 2% sevoflurane and a mixture of 50% oxygen + 50% air in both groups. The mean arterial pressure and heart rate values of preinduction; preintubation; and the first, second, third, and fifth minutes of intubation were recorded. Epistaxis, intraoral bleeding, cuff burst, use of Magill pens, duration of intubation, intubation difficulty, laryngeal compression, head position change, and glottic grade were evaluated.ResultsThere were no significant differences between groups in terms of demographic data (gender, age, height, weight, body mass index, American Society of Anaesthesiologists score, and Mallampati score). Macintosh laryngoscopes were used during intubation in all patients. There was no significant difference between groups in terms of intubation difficulty, duration of intubation, use of Magill pens, and determination of the glottic grade (P > 0.05). Epistaxis was significantly lower in the NPT group than in the ST group (P = 0.012). Intraoral bleeding was significantly higher in the ST group than in the NPT group (P = 0.001). During intubation, laryngeal compression (Sellick maneuver) and head position changes were significantly lower in the NPT group than in the ST group (P = 0.003 and P < 0.001, respectively). There were no significant differences in mean arterial pressure and heart rate between the 2 groups.ConclusionsWe conclude that the NPT was associated with less epistaxis and manipulations such as laryngeal compression and head position changes when compared with the ST during nasotracheal intubation. The velvet-soft polyvinyl chloride material of the NPT appears to be responsible for this advantage.

Clinical Evaluation of the Cricoid Pressure Effect on Bag Mask Ventilation, ProSeal Laryngeal Mask Airway Placement and Ventilation.

Supraglottic airway devices can be life-saving in the 'cannot intubate, cannot oxygenate' situation. The cricoid pressure (CP) is considered critical in the prevention of aspiration. The aim of this self-controlled study was to evaluate the effect of CP on the bag mask ventilation (BMV), and the placement of and the ventilation through, the ProSeal laryngeal mask airway (LMA). In 60 adult patients undergoing elective surgery, after induction of anaesthesia, the effect of bimanual CP (≈30N) on BMV, ventilation through the ProSeal LMA, its anatomic position and airway seal pressures were evaluated. CP was released, the ProSeal LMA was reseated (appropriate position), the above assessments were repeated, and the effect of CP on the tidal volume (TV) and peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) was noted. Out of 60 patients, the bag mask ventilation with CP was adequate in 25 (41.7%) patients compared to 59 (98.3%) patients without CP; p<0.001. The ventilation via the ProSeal LMA with CP was excellent, adequate and impossible in 0.0% (0), 49.2% (29) and 50.8% (30) patients, respectively, compared to 93.3% (56), 6.7% (4), 0% (0) patients, respectively, without CP; p<0.001. Releasing CP and advancing the ProSeal LMA to its appropriate position significantly improved the ventilation and anatomic position scores; both p<0.001. Airway seal pressures improved significantly without CP compared to with CP; p<0.001). With the ProSeal LMA in a proper position, the CP application resulted in a significant decrease in the mean expired TV (489.14±91.62 vs. 355.08±104.42 mL) with an increase in PIP (16.72±5.01 vs. 30.71±6.74 cmH2O); both p<0.001. The application of bimanual CP (≈30N) interferes with the bag mask ventilation and prevents both the correct placement and ventilation via the ProSeal LMA in adult patients.

A multicentre prospective cohort study of the accuracy of conventional landmark technique for cricoid localisation using ultrasound scanning

Cricoid pressure is employed during rapid sequence induction to reduce the risk of pulmonary aspiration. Correct application of cricoid pressure depends on knowledge of neck anatomy and precise identification of surface landmarks. Inaccurate localisation of the cricoid cartilage during rapid sequence induction risks incomplete oesophageal occlusion, with potential for pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents. It may also compromise the laryngeal view for the anaesthetist. Accurate localisation of the cricoid cartilage therefore has relevance for the safe conduct of rapid sequence induction. We conducted a multicentre, prospective cohort study to determine the accuracy of cricoid cartilage identification in 100 patients. The cranio-caudal midpoint of the cricoid cartilage was identified by a qualified anaesthetic assistant using the conventional landmark technique and marked. While maintaining the patient in the same position, a second mark was made by identifying the midpoint of the cricoid cartilage using ultrasound scanning. The mean (SD) distance between the two marks was 2.07 (8.49) mm. In 41% of patients the midpoint was incorrectly identified by a margin greater than 5mm. This error was uniformly distributed both above and below the midpoint of the cricoid cartilage. The Pearson correlation coefficient of this error with respect to body mass index was 0.062 (p=0.539) and with age was -0.020 (p=0.843). There were also no significant differences in error between male and female patients. Identification of cricoid position using a landmark technique has a high degree of variability and has little correlation with age, sex or body mass index. These findings have significant implications for the safe application of cricoid pressure in the context of rapid sequence induction.

Pressure measurement in the upper esophagus during cricoid pressure: A high-resolution solid-state manometry study.

The use of cricoid pressure is controversial, and its ability to occlude the esophagus has been questioned. In this study, high-resolution solid-state manometry was used to analyze pressure changes in the upper esophagus from cricoid pressure during modified rapid sequence induction. This is a secondary analysis of data from a previous study. Seventeen healthy volunteers participated in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over study with primary aim to compare differences in the barrier pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter during rapid sequence induction with or without alfentanil. Standardized cricoid pressure of 30N was applied 2minutes after propolipid injection and held for 15seconds and pressures in the esophagus were measured. Cricoid pressure resulted in a pressure increase of 127±98mmHg (95% CI: 73-182) (placebo) and 123±74mmHg (95% CI: 84-162) (alfentanil) at the level of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES), compared to baseline. The pressure difference around the UES compared to the proximal esophagus during cricoid pressure application was 165±100mmHg (placebo) and 159±87mmHg (alfentanil) (mean±1 SD). This study using high-resolution solid-state manometry under clinically relevant conditions shows that 30N cricoid pressure generates high pressure in the area of the UES, far exceeding the levels previously considered necessary to prevent regurgitation. Additional studies are needed to clarify the effectiveness of cricoid pressure in preventing passive regurgitation before it is rejected as a part of rapid sequence induction.

Cricoid Pressure during Rapid Sequence Induction - Time to Let Go and Grab the Ultrasound?

Accurate localisation of the cricoid cartilage is a key step in the successful application of cricoid pressure during rapid sequence induction. Poorly localised pressure is unlikely to confer any protective benefit to our patients and may have deleterious effects on laryngoscopy. We postulated that the use of ultrasound would greatly improve the accuracy of cricoid cartilage localisation prior to the application of cricoid pressure.

Retrograde transillumination for videolaryngoscopic tracheal intubation – a reply

We thank Sun and Hung for their comments on our paper about the novel technique of retrograde transillumination with the Infrared Red Intubation System (IRRIS) device 1. Since this method is very new and the device is not yet on the market, it is understandable that questions about technical details and their clinical impact arise. The first question assumes that the IRRIS may impede techniques used to facilitate tracheal intubation or prevent aspiration pneumonia during the intubation process, such as BURP (i.e. backward, upward, rightward pressure of the larynx), or the Sellick manoeuvre. Externally applied manual manipulation remains possible even with the IRRIS device in place; the operator applies pressure on the IRRIS itself. Otherwise, the IRRIS can be easily removed at any point to directly apply these procedures if necessary. The second issue was that we did not report the degree of opening of the glottis (e.g. by indicating the percentage of glottic opening (POGO) score) 2. We think this is of little relevance given our study objective. Complete neuromuscular blockade was achieved before intubation, and in all cases the glottis was completely open. However, there were other reasons for partially reduced videolaryngoscopic views of the glottis, mainly due to a very long epiglottis. In these cases, enough light from the IRRIS remained visible for indicating the right direction to advance the tracheal tube. The third comment concerning the ‘best user’ study design correctly recognised that our approach naturally involved observation bias and did not provide any information about a learning curve. The latter would necessitate the assessment of multiple users’ performance. However, it was not the intention of this very first ‘proof of concept’ investigation to obtain the information that Sun and Hung have asked for. Indeed, the ‘best user’ study design was chosen intentionally in order to avoid interference due to different skill levels and to establish baseline data about the IRRIS itself (and not about its user). The assessment of IRRIS use by a large user population should be the subject of future studies. The fourth and last comment assumes that “light from IRRIS may result in disturbing reflections of light on the monitor of videolaryngoscopes, which may possibly impede the placement of tracheal tubes into the glottis”. This assumption is baseless, because the IRRIS is designed in a way such that no other light can escape from the correctly positioned device in place. The existence of disturbing light reflections can be completely excluded by both the configuration and functionality of the device, as well as experience with its use to date 3. In addition, the light from IRRIS blinks at a frequency of 2 Hz, which clearly differentiates it from any other light on the video screen.

Cricoid Pressure During Induction for Tracheal Intubation in Critically Ill Children: A Report From National Emergency Airway Registry for Children.

Cricoid pressure is often used to prevent regurgitation during induction and mask ventilation prior to high-risk tracheal intubation in critically ill children. Clinical data in children showing benefit are limited. Our objective was to evaluate the association between cricoid pressure use and the occurrence of regurgitation during tracheal intubation for critically ill children in PICU. A retrospective cohort study of a multicenter pediatric airway quality improvement registry. Thirty-five PICUs within general and children's hospitals (29 in the United States, three in Canada, one in Japan, one in Singapore, and one in New Zealand). Children (< 18 yr) with initial tracheal intubation using direct laryngoscopy in PICUs between July 2010 and December 2015. None. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between cricoid pressure use and the occurrence of regurgitation while adjusting for underlying differences in patient and clinical care factors. Of 7,825 events, cricoid pressure was used in 1,819 (23%). Regurgitation was reported in 106 of 7,825 (1.4%) and clinical aspiration in 51 of 7,825 (0.7%). Regurgitation was reported in 35 of 1,819 (1.9%) with cricoid pressure, and 71 of 6,006 (1.2%) without cricoid pressure (unadjusted odds ratio, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.09-2.47; p = 0.018). On multivariable analysis, cricoid pressure was not associated with the occurrence of regurgitation after adjusting for patient, practice, and known regurgitation risk factors (adjusted odds ratio, 1.57; 95% CI, 0.99-2.47; p = 0.054). A sensitivity analysis in propensity score-matched cohorts showed cricoid pressure was associated with a higher regurgitation rate (adjusted odds ratio, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00-1.02; p = 0.036). Cricoid pressure during induction and mask ventilation before tracheal intubation in the current ICU practice was not associated with a lower regurgitation rate after adjusting for previously reported confounders. Further studies are needed to determine whether cricoid pressure for specific indication with proper maneuver would be effective in reducing regurgitation events.

A survey of practice of rapid sequence induction for caesarean section in England

BackgroundIn view of newer techniques of preoxygenation and laryngoscopy and recent obstetric guidelines concerning the management of difficult intubation, we aimed to evaluate the current practice of rapid sequence induction for caesarean section in England. MethodsIn 2017, 316 questionnaire surveys were posted to all 158 hospitals with caesarean section capabilities in England. At each hospital, one questionnaire was to be completed by the obstetric anaesthetic consultant lead and one by an anaesthetic trainee. Differences in responses between consultants and trainees, regardless of their place of work, were compared for all data using the chi-square and the Fisher’s exact tests. ResultsOne-hundred-and-eighty complete questionnaires were returned, with an overall response rate of 57%, 98 (54%) from obstetric anaesthetic consultant leads and 82 (45.6%) from trainees). Both head up (57%) and ramped (56%) were the preferred positions for preoxygenation. Less than half of respondents (43%) preoxygenated until the surgeon was scrubbed. Cricoid pressure was used by almost all respondents (98%). Thiopentone (67%) was the most commonly chosen anaesthetic induction agent and most respondents (82%) supported a change to the use of propofol. Suxamethonium (92%) was the neuromuscular blocker of choice but more than half the respondents (52%) supported a change to rocuronium. In the event of a failed intubation, the rescue supraglottic airway device of choice was the i-gel® (65%). ConclusionsOur survey demonstrated the significant variation in the practice of rapid sequence induction for caesarean section in obstetrics in the United Kingdom.

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cricoid Pressure Training and Education Efficacy.

We examined the evidence on the effectiveness of education and training on cricoid pressure (ie, Sellick maneuver) application. Cricoid pressure is used during rapid sequence induction and intubation to reduce the risk of pulmonary aspiration. We searched seven databases for studies on the education and training of health care personnel expected to apply cricoid pressure as a part of their regular clinical responsibilities. We appraised the included studies using standardized tools validated for this purpose and we performed a meta-analysis of the eight eligible studies. The success rate for intubation increased after training according to the random effect model (95% CI = 0.157 to 0.452). Fisher's method combined probability test rejected the null hypothesis for patients (P = 4.93e-6), indicating that the application of cricoid pressure significantly improved after educational interventions. Regularly scheduled training in the application of cricoid pressure could sustain health care personnel's ability to apply effective cricoid pressure.

Use of Survey and Delphi Process to Understand Trauma Anesthesia Care Practices.

Few trauma guidelines evaluate and recommend anesthesiology practices and there are no trauma anesthesia-specific guidelines. There is no information on how anesthesiologists perceive clinical practice patterns. Our objective was to understand the perceptions of anesthesiologists regarding trauma anesthesia practices. A survey assessing anesthesia management of trauma patients was distributed to 21,491 anesthesiologists. A subset of 10 of these questions was subsequently reviewed by a trauma anesthesiology focus group through a 3-round web-based Delphi process. A question was deemed to have respondent consensus if the response with the highest percentage of agreement was unchanged between rounds 1 and 2. A total of 2360 anesthesiologists (11% response rate) responded to the survey. Results demonstrated that the practitioners' answers conflicted with existing surgical trauma society recommendations (ie, when to transfuse component therapy), and several areas that lacked any guidelines, resulted in response variability among anesthesiologists where not 1 answer achieved >75% agreement (ie, intubation technique of choice for patients with uncleared cervical spine). Thirteen trauma anesthesiologists participated in round 1 (response rate 100%), and 12 responded in rounds 2 and 3 (response rate 92%) of the Delphi process. None of the questions received 100% agreement. Consensus was achieved on 9 of 10 statements pertaining to trauma anesthesia care. Consensus was not reached on the intubating technique in a hemodynamically unstable patient with an uncleared cervical spine with deficits. Delphi participant opinion conflicted with existing guidelines on 2 statements: the use of cricoid pressure, and when to begin blood component therapy. There are several important areas of trauma anesthesia practice where guidelines do not exist and several where existing guidelines are not endorsed by the majority of practitioners who completed our survey. The lack of consensus on trauma anesthesia management and the variation in survey responses demonstrate a need to develop evidence-based trauma anesthesia guidelines.

"Hanger" in Intubation and Laryngoscopy.

Achieving an adequate exposure in laryngoscopy is an extremely tedious task for the operating surgeon, especially for the anterior commissure lesions. Various maneuvers have been described to overcome this difficulty, but failed in providing an adequate exposure leading to a poor outcome. To create a device that can deliver uniform pressure over the laryngeal cartilage and succeed in providing an adequate exposure of the glottic lesion. A total of 44 patients were included in the study, divided into two groups containing 22 patients each. The distance at the level of anterior commissure from the superior border of the distal end of the laryngoscope was noted and compared. Group A subjected to digital cricoid pressure showed a mean distance of 9.09 of exposure with variance of 1.22 and Group B subjected to cricoid pressure with the cricoid catapult showed a mean distance of 11.76 with variance of 1.59. The groups were statistically analyzed using Anova Test and the test was found to be very significant (p < 0.0001). The catapult is made of a hanger defining its economics, which has a vital role in difficult intubations especially in anterior placed larynx, short neck and obese patients, also succeeds in providing an adequate exposure of the glottic lesion, (especially the anterior commissure) by delivering uniform pressure over the laryngeal cartilage, leading to a superior operative outcome.

Certain and controversial components of "rapid sequence induction"

Rapid sequence induction (RSI) is aspecific technique for anesthesia induction, which is performed in patients with an increased risk for pulmonary aspiration (e.g. intestinal obstruction, severe injuries and cesarean section). The incidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is very low but 10-30% of anesthesia-related deaths are caused by the consequences of ARDS. The classical RSI with its main components (i.e. head-up position, avoidance of positive pressure ventilation and administration of succinylcholine) was published nearly 50years ago and has remained almost unchanged. The modified RSI consists of mask ventilation before endotracheal intubation is performed or the use of non-depolarizing muscle relaxants. Succinylcholine 1.0 mg/kg or rocuronium 1.0-1.2 mg/kg should be administered to achieve excellent intubation conditions. The use of cricoid pressure was acornerstone of RSI after its introduction in 1961; however, after controversial discussions in recent years, cricoid pressure has lost its importance. Before surgery gastric emptying with anasogastric tube is mandatory in patients with ileus and passage or defecation disorders.

Cricoid Pressure Controversies: A Narrative Review

(Anesthesiology. 2017;126(4):738–752) Since its introduction by Sellick in 1961, the use of cricoid pressure (CP) during the induction of general anesthesia to avoid aspiration has generated controversy. It has been 20 years since a scientific review of its use has been undertaken. A search of PubMed articles from January 1961 to March 2016 found 550 articles relating to CP which were screened by the authors for inclusion in this article.

Videographic Assessment of Pediatric Tracheal Intubation Technique During Emergency Airway Management.

To examine technical aspects of pediatric tracheal intubation using video recording and to determine the association between tracheal intubation technique and procedural outcomes. Prospective observational study. Emergency department resuscitation bay in single tertiary pediatric center. Children undergoing emergent tracheal intubation under videorecorded conditions. None. A published scoring tool for characterizing patient positioning, intubator kinematics, and adjunctive maneuvers during tracheal intubation was applied to videorecorded pediatric resuscitations when tracheal intubation was performed. Procedural outcomes were measured from video review. Seventy-one children underwent 109 tracheal intubation attempts with an overall first attempt success rate of 69% and a median laryngoscopy duration of 34 seconds (interquartile range, 24-47 s). A significant subset of tracheal intubation attempts were made with the patient's bed at a height below the level of intubator's umbilicus (61%), the patient in a supine position without head elevation (55%), the intubator bent at the waist to greater than 45° (66%), less than 1 cm of mouth opening by the intubator's right hand prior to laryngoscopy (46%), and with the intubator's face less than 12 inches away from the patient's mouth (65%). Adjunctive maneuvers were used in a minority of attempts (cricoid pressure 48%, external laryngeal manipulation 11%, retraction of the right corner of the patient's mouth 26%). On multivariate analysis, including controlling for patient age category and intubator background, retraction of the right corner of the patient's mouth by an assistant showed an independent association with successful tracheal intubation. No other technical aspects were associated with tracheal intubation success. Intubators commonly exhibited suboptimal technique during tracheal intubation such as bending deeply at the waist, having their eyes close to the patient's mouth, failing to widely open the patient's mouth, and not elevating the occiput in older children. Retraction of the right corner of the patient's mouth by an assistant during laryngoscopy and intubation was associated with TI success.

Cricoid pressure to prevent gastric deflation during esophagogastroduodenoscopy.

Cricoid pressure to prevent gastric deflation during esophagogastroduodenoscopy.

The Upper Esophageal Sphincter Assist Device Is Associated With Symptom Response in Reflux-Associated Laryngeal Symptoms

Reflux-associated laryngeal symptoms (RALS) is the process in which chronic laryngeal symptoms are related to gastroesophagopharyngeal reflux.1 Impairment of upper esophageal sphincter (UES) reflexes may predispose to esophagopharyngeal reflux.1 The novel noninvasive nonpharmacologic UES assist device (UESAD) applies external cricoid pressure to augment intraluminal UES pressure by 20 to 30 mm Hg and reduce esophagopharyngeal reflux events.2 This study aimed to assess the therapeutic efficacy of the UESAD in a pragmatic clinical setting, and to identify factors associated with symptom response among patients with suspected RALS.

Effect of Cricoid Pressure on Laryngeal View During Macintosh, McGrath MAC X-Blade and GlideScope Video Laryngoscopies.

Cricoid pressure is useful in fasted patients requiring emergency intubation. We compared the effect of cricoid pressure on laryngeal view during Macintosh, McGrath MAC X-Blade and GlideScope video laryngoscopy. After obtaining approval from the Human Research Ethics Committee and written informed consent from patients, we enrolled 120 patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists I-II, age 18-65 years) undergoing elective surgery that required endotracheal intubation in this prospective randomised study. Patients were divided into three groups (Macintosh, McGrath MAC X-Blade and GlideScope). Demographic and airway variables were similar in the groups. Cormack-Lehane grades were improved or unchanged on using cricoid pressure in Macintosh and McGrath MAC X-Blade groups. However, laryngeal views worsened in 12 patients (30%), remained unchanged in 26 patients (65%) and improved in 2 patients (5%) in the GlideScope group (p<0.001). Insertion and intubation times for Macintosh and McGrath MAC X-Blade video laryngoscopes were similar. Insertion times for GlideScope and Macintosh video laryngoscopes were similar, but were longer than those for the McGrath MAC X-Blade video laryngoscope (p=0.02). Tracheal intubation took longer with the GlideScope video laryngoscope than with the other devices (p<0.001 and p=0.003). Mean arterial pressures after insertion increased significantly in Macintosh and GlideScope groups (p=0.004 and p=0.001, respectively) compared with post-induction values. Heart rates increased after insertion in all three groups compared with post-induction values (p<0.001). Need for optimisation manoeuvres and postoperative minor complications were comparable in all three groups. Although all three devices are useful for normal or difficult intubation, cricoid pressure improved Cormack-Lehane grades of Macintosh and McGrath MAC X-Blade video laryngoscopes but statistically significantly worsened that of the GlideScope video laryngoscope.

Assessment of effectiveness of cricoid pressure in preventing gastric insufflation during bag and mask ventilation: A randomized controlled trial.

Background:Rapid sequence induction and intubation (RSII) with application of “Cricoid pressure” and avoidance of “facemask ventilation” (FMV) is believed to minimize the risk of pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents during general anesthesia. However, some patients may be at risk of developing hypoxemia and may benefit from FMV during RSII. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of “cricoid pressure” in preventing gastric insufflation during FMV using gastric ultrasonography.Materials and Methods:Eighty-four adult patients were randomized to receive cricoid pressure (CP) or no cricoid pressure (NCP), during FMV after induction of general anesthesia. Gastric antral cross-sectional area (CSA) was measured with ultrasonography before and after FMV in supine and right lateral decubitus positions (LDP). Appearance of “comet tail” artifacts created by acoustic shadows of gas in the gastric antrum was noted.Results:The incidence of insufflation indicated by “comet tail” artifacts during FMV was lower in group CP (17 vs 71%; P < 0.001). The lowest Paw at which gastric insufflation occurred was higher in group CP (20 vs 14 cmH2O). The change in mean gastric antral CSA was significantly lower in group CP than in group NCP in supine (0.02 vs 0.36 cm2, P = 0.012) and right LDP (0.03 vs 0.67 cm2, P < 0.001).Conclusion:Cricoid pressure is effective in preventing gastric insufflation during FMV at Paw less than 20 cmH2O. Observation of comet tail artifacts in gastric antrum along with measurement of change in antral CSA on ultrasound examination is a feasible and reliable method to detect gastric insufflation.

Nasogastric tube insertion in anaesthetised, intubated adult patients: A comparison between three techniques

Background and Aims:The existence of several methods for proper placement of nasogastric tube (NGT) and introduction of various novel methods day-by-day indicates that no method is perfect or universally accepted. However, the quest for the best is still on. Application of cold in various forms to stiffen the NGT has been tested inconsistently over the last three decades. In the recent past, frozen NGT has been compared only with conventional methods. Hence, the present study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of the frozen technique in comparison with conventional and reverse Sellick's manoeuvre.Methods:A total of 195 adult patients undergoing abdominal surgeries in anaesthetised and intubated state requiring NGT insertion were allocated to three groups to have their NGT placement using either the conventional method (Group A) or using frozen NGT (Group B) or applying reverse Sellick's manoeuvre (Group C). The number of successful placements of NGT within two attempts, procedure time, and incidences of adverse events were noted.Results:The highest success rate regarding the successful placement of NGT was observed using reverse Sellick's manoeuvre (95.2%), closely followed by the frozen NGT technique (84.6%) in comparison with conventional method (69.2%). The procedure time was the least with reverse Sellick's manoeuvre (31.5 ± 9.5 s) compared with conventional (42.2 ± 21.4 s) and frozen technique (42.1 ± 13.2 s).Conclusion:Nasogastric tube insertion using reverse Sellick's manoeuvre shows the highest success rate and having the least adverse events among the compared three methods in anaesthetised, intubated adult patients.