Which maneuver involves holding the cricoid cartilage to prevent regurgitation during airway management?

Which maneuver involves holding the cricoid cartilage to prevent regurgitation during airway management?

• A. Jaw thrust
• B. Cricoid pressure release
• C. Heimlich maneuver
• D. Sellick maneuver

Answer: (D)

Preventing regurgitation during airway management is achieved by applying cricoid pressure. Pressing the cricoid cartilage backward toward the spine compresses the esophagus against the vertebral bodies, effectively occluding the esophageal lumen so gastric contents are less likely to flow into the pharynx while you secure the airway. This maneuver is commonly discussed in the context of rapid sequence intubation to reduce aspiration risk. The other options don’t achieve this effect. A jaw thrust opens the airway by moving the jaw forward to clear the airway path, but it doesn’t compress the esophagus. The Heimlich maneuver is for relieving choking from a foreign object, not for protecting the airway during management. Releasing cricoid pressure defeats the purpose of preventing regurgitation, so it’s not the maneuver described.

Preventing regurgitation during airway management is achieved by applying cricoid pressure. Pressing the cricoid cartilage backward toward the spine compresses the esophagus against the vertebral bodies, effectively occluding the esophageal lumen so gastric contents are less likely to flow into the pharynx while you secure the airway. This maneuver is commonly discussed in the context of rapid sequence intubation to reduce aspiration risk.

The other options don’t achieve this effect. A jaw thrust opens the airway by moving the jaw forward to clear the airway path, but it doesn’t compress the esophagus. The Heimlich maneuver is for relieving choking from a foreign object, not for protecting the airway during management. Releasing cricoid pressure defeats the purpose of preventing regurgitation, so it’s not the maneuver described.