Comparison of three insertion techniques with laryngeal mask airway unique in adults

Aim of the study: The purpose of the study was to compare successful insertion of the LMA-Unique at the first attempt, insertion time, reaction to insertion, fiberoptic assessment of the airway view using three different insertion techniques. Secondary outcomes as airway morbidity and haemodynamic response to insertion were also compared.Methods: After obtaining approvel from the Institutional Ethics Committe and written informed consent, one hundred and eighty ASA I and II adult patients, aged 18-65 years, were included into the study. A standart anaesthesia protocol was followed for all patients and they were randomly allocated into one of the three groups: Group Standart (S), Group Rotational (R) and Group Triple (T). In all groups the cuff was fully deflated during insertion.Results: Demographic data demonstrated no significant difference between groups. Successful insertion at the first attempt was not statistically significant among the groups (p>0,05). Overall succes rate was %93 for Group S, %90 for Group R and %95 for Group T (p>0,05). No reaction to insertion occured in any patient. Time for successful insertion was significantly shorter in Group T compared with Group S (p= 0,0001) and Group R (p= 0,001). Fiberoptic assesment and airway morbidity were similar in all groups (p>0,05). There was no significant difference between groups according to haemodynamic responses and laringopharyngeal complications (p>0,05). Desaturation and laryngospasm did not occured in any of the patients.Conclusion: To learn alternative techniques is important because when one technique fails, the other can be used. Using these alternative techniques may reduce undesirable events like airway trauma due to repeated attempts, unnecessary endotracheal intubation, laryngospasm, hypoxia or exaggerated haemodynamic responses. Because of shorter insertion time in group triple, this technique may be superior to the other two techniques.Key words: Laryngeal mask airway, insertion techniques