What is the purpose of Sellick's maneuver?

Sellick's maneuver, also known as cricoid pressure, is designed to apply pressure to the cricoid membrane to help prevent regurgitation and aspiration during rapid sequence intubation. This technique is often utilized in situations where patients are at risk of vomiting, such as in the context of trauma or altered levels of consciousness. By pressing down on the cricoid cartilage, the maneuver compresses the esophagus against the cervical vertebrae, theoretically minimizing the risk of aspiration of gastric contents into the lungs if the patient were to vomit during the intubation process.

The effectiveness of Sellick's maneuver has been the subject of debate, but it remains a commonly taught technique in various emergency medical courses to enhance patient safety during airway management. Other general procedures, such as calculating tidal volume or holding a mask on a patient's face, do not pertain to the specific purpose of Sellick's maneuver, which is solely focused on airway protection through cricoid pressure.