Cricoid pressure (CP) confers Grade IIA evidence in preventing gastric insufflation during general anaesthesia. However, a retrospective review of computed tomography scans by Dotson et al. shows that 45% oesophagus is eccentric in the paediatric population aged 1 to 8 years old. In adults, the eccentric oesophagus is associated with reduced CP efficacy in occluding oesophagus. To date, no dynamic real-time study has been done to assess the incidence of the eccentric oesophagus in the paediatric population, the efficacy of CP in occluding eccentric oesophagus, and the effect of anaesthesia on oesophageal position. Any patients aged 1 to 8 years old are eligible to participate This study will be conducted in the operation theatre of UMMC. The investigators plan to perform an ultrasound of the neck throughout the phases of anaesthetic induction and determine the oesophagus position and its compressibility with CP application.
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Number of oesophagus compressible following application of CP in paediatric population
Timeframe: Through study completion, average 1 year