Yonsei Med J.  2013 May;54(3):747-751. 10.3349/ymj.2013.54.3.747.

Laryngeal Mask Airway Insertion in Adults: Comparison between Fully Deflated and Partially Inflated Technique

• An J
• Shin SK
• Kim KJ

• KMID: 1727893
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2013.54.3.747

Abstract

PURPOSE
The laryngeal mask airway (LMA) is a supraglottic airway device designed to seal around the laryngeal inlet. A controlled study was designed to compare the effectiveness and complications in inserting the LMA when the cuff is fully deflated and partially inflated.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I or II 172 female patients scheduled for gynecologic procedures were included in this study. Patients were randomly allocated into one of the two groups; fully deflated (n=86) and partially inflated group (n=86). A size #4 LMA was inserted. The number of attempts, time taken for successful insertion, grade of leak, grade of fiberoptic view, and complications were evaluated.
RESULTS
All 172 patients completed the study protocol. The number of attempts, time taken for successful insertion, and grade of leak were not significantly different between the two groups. The grade of fiberoptic view and complications were lower in the fully deflated group.
CONCLUSION
The fully deflated method is more accurate and safe because of better fiberoptic view and lesser complications than the partially inflated group.

Keyword

Complication; laryngeal mask airway

MeSH Terms

Adult
Airway Management/adverse effects/instrumentation/*methods
Female
Humans
Laryngeal Masks/*adverse effects
Middle Aged

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