Effect of Left Paratracheal Pressure on Cerebral Oxygenation During General Anesthesia

Left paratracheal pressure (LPP) has been proposed as an alternative to cricoid pressure to reduce the risk of regurgitation during induction of general anesthesia. Previous studies suggest that LPP can effectively compress the esophagus without significantly reducing left carotid blood flow. However, its effect on cerebral oxygenation has not yet been evaluated. The aim of this prospective randomized crossover study is to assess whether application of LPP affects regional cerebral oxygen saturation measured by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) during general anesthesia. Seventy adult patients undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia with tracheal intubation will be included. After induction of anesthesia and stabilization, cerebral oxygen saturation will be continuously measured under three conditions: no cervical pressure, left paratracheal pressure at 30 N, and cricoid pressure at 30 N. The order of the two pressure maneuvers will be randomized. The primary objective is to determine the change in left regional cerebral oxygen saturation during LPP compared with baseline without cervical pressure.