Cricoid Pressure (Sellick Maneuver)

Cricoid pressure, also known as the Sellick maneuver, is a technique used during anesthesia to help prevent stomach contents from entering the windpipe and causing choking or pneumonia. It involves gently pressing on a firm ring of cartilage in the neck called the cricoid cartilage, just below the Adam’s apple. This pressure temporarily compresses the esophagus, reducing the risk of regurgitation while a patient is unconscious or indly intubated. Proper application requires careful technique to be effective without obstructing breathing or blood flow. It is commonly used in emergency airway management and prior to intubation in specific situations.