Comparison of Fully Deflated with Partially Inflated Technique for Ease of Insertion of Laryngeal Mask Airways in Adults

Objective: To compare the frequency of ease of insertion of the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) between fully deflated and partially inflated laryngeal mask airway, in anesthetized mechanically ventilated adult patients undergoing different non-emergency short-term surgical and gynecological procedures. Methodology: A total of 104 patients were recruited in this RCT. Using computer generated random numbers, patients were allocated to two groups: fully deflated LMAs in A and partially inflated LMAs in B. Pre-operative assessment was done and informed consent was taken. All subjects were 20–40 years of age, ASA-I and ASA- II, planned for short surgical and gynaecological cases (elective) that required general anaesthesia with mechanical ventilation. Premedication with 2 mg midazolam IV was done 30 minutes before the start of the operation. Monitors were attached. One 18G cannula was maintained. IV fluids were administered to each patient as per patient’s and procedure's requirements. Pre-oxygenation was done with 100% oxygen with a face mask for three minutes. Glycopyrrolate IV 0.2mg/kg and nalbuphine IV 0.15mg/kg were given to all at induction by an anesthetist. Results: In Group A, 98% of patients had ease of insertion while 2% of patients didn’t have ease of insertion, whereas in Group B 90% of patients had ease of insertion and 10% of patients didn’t. Ease of insertion was measured by the number of attempts (first attempt insertion – ease of insertion). Conclusion: Our study concludes that the fully deflated technique is superior as compared to the partially inflated technique in terms of easier insertion in Laryngeal mask airways