A survey of cricoid pressure application in a single institution in Ethiopia

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this survey is to determine the standard of practice of cricoid pressure application on rapid sequence induction in Ayder comprehensive specialized hospital from April 3 to May 3, 2019. RESULTS: A total of 30 anesthetists were involved in the study with a response rate of 87%. Ninety percent of the respondents do not mask ventilate during rapid sequence induction and they do aspirate the naso-gastric tube if present. Almost half of the respondents have witnessed regurgitation during application of cricoid pressure and 93% do not remove the naso-gastric tube before rapid sequence induction. Seventy percent had experienced difficulty of endotracheal intubation during application of cricoid pressure. All of the respondents had less than 10 years of working experience as anesthetist.