EFFECT OF CRICOID PRESSURE ON EASE OF INSERTION OF THE LARYNGEAL MASK AIRWAY

We have evaluated the effects of cricoid pressure on laryngealmask airway (LMA) insertion after an elective rapid sequenceinduction in 100 patients allocated randomly to two groups.An attempt was made to insert the LMA after application of cricoidpressure in one group and with no pressure in the other. Theanaesthetist was blinded to the application of cricoid pressure.Insertion was successful in 45 of 50 patients in the cricoidpressure group and in 49 of 50 patients in the non-cricoid group(P <0.1) We discuss the implications of these findings forfailed intubation in the non- fasted patient. (Br. J. Anaesth.1993; 71: 800–802)