Sellick Maneuver

The Sellick (or Sellick's) maneuver is a method of preventing regurgitation of an anesthetized patient during endotracheal intubation by applying pressure to the cricoid cartilage.

Method
The Sellick maneuver is performed by applying gentle pressure to the anterior neck at the level of the cricoid cartilage. The Maneuver is used to help align the airway during endotracheal intubation. The reason for performing the Sellick maneuver is to provide a means to prevent gastric insufflation and vomiting during ventilations in an unprotected airway. This method is employed early until a properly placed endotracheal tube has been inserted. Aspiration pneumonitis has a high mortality rate and proper use of this method can minimize its occurrence.