What is the primary purpose of the Sellick's maneuver?

The primary purpose of Sellick's maneuver, also known as cricoid pressure, is to reduce the risk of vomiting and subsequent aspiration during intubation, especially in patients who may have a full stomach or be at risk for regurgitation. By applying pressure to the cricoid cartilage, the maneuver occludes the esophagus, thereby helping prevent any gastric contents from entering the airway during the intubation process. This is especially critical in emergency situations where rapid sequence intubation may be necessary and the patient's airway needs to be protected from possible aspiration, which can lead to serious complications such as aspiration pneumonia.

While increasing airway pressure could be a side effect of various interventions during airway management, that is not the specific intention of employing Sellick's maneuver. Decreasing heart rate is not related to this technique, nor is it a respiratory assisting measure. In essence, the maneuver's significance lies in its protective function related to the risk of aspiration, making reducing the risk of vomiting and aspiration the main goal.