J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  2013 Aug;24(4):446-452.

The Superiority of the Laryngeal Mask Airway to the Pentax(R)AirwayScope Used by an Unskilled Pre-hospital Rescuer: A Randomized, Controlled, Crossover Mannequin Study

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Emergency Medicine, Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Changwon, Korea.
  • 2Department of Emergency Medicine, Bundang Jesaeng General Hospital, Bundang, Korea. schsfc@hanmail.net
  • 3Department of Emergency Medical Technology, Masan University, Masan, Korea.
  • 4Department of Physical Education, Kyungnam University, Changwon, Korea.
  • 5Department of Emergency Medicine, Hallym Sacred Heart Hospital, School of Medicine, Hallym University, Changwon, Korea.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION
Recent studies have highlighted the use of a video laryngoscope, a promising airway device that enables faster intubation than a Macintosh laryngoscope without the cessation of chest compressions. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of a Pentax AirwayScope (AWS) with that of a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) when utilized by unskilled personnel in a mannequin model while performing chest compressions.
METHODS
We conducted a randomized controlled crossover trial to compare the effects of these two airway devices. A total of 36 participants performed intubation on a mannequin, with each device in both common and moderate level of difficulty airway scenarios. The time to successful ventilation, rate of ventilation success, and subjective difficulty in manipulating the devices were compared.
RESULTS
In a scenario with airways of common difficulty, the LMA had a shorter time interval to successful ventilation than the AWS (13.6 vs. 25.2 seconds, respectively, p<0.001). In a scenario with moderately difficult airways, the LMA was also shorter than the AWS (14.5 vs. 26.9 seconds, respectively, p<0.001). For every level of difficulty for the airway, the LMA showed a higher successful ventilation rate and a lower extent of difficulty in device operation than the AWS (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
In the pre-hospital setting, using the LMA could enable an unskilled rescuer to establish airway patency more rapidly. LMA might also be safer and easier for operation than the AWS.

Keyword

Manikins; Laryngeal masks; Endotracheal intubation

MeSH Terms

Intubation
Intubation, Intratracheal
Laryngeal Masks
Laryngoscopes
Manikins
Thorax
Ventilation
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