Laryngeal mask airway insertion in adults: comparison between fully deflated and partially inflated technique

• Published in: Yonsei medical journal Vol. 54; no. 3; pp. 747 - 751
• Main Authors: An, Jiwon, Shin, Seo Kyung, Kim, Ki Jun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Yonsei University College of Medicine 01-05-2013; 연세대학교의과대학
• Subjects: Adult; Airway Management - adverse effects; Airway Management - instrumentation; Airway Management - methods; Female; Humans; Laryngeal Masks - adverse effects; Middle Aged; Original; 의학일반; Complication; laryngeal mask airway
• ISSN: 0513-5796; 1976-2437
• DOI: 10.3349/ymj.2013.54.3.747

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.
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.
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.
The fully deflated method is more accurate and safe because of better fiberoptic view and lesser complications than the partially inflated group.