Objective:

Laryngeal mask airways (LMA) are used successfully and safely in anaesthetic practice, and have undergone rapid development, with many different models having been produced. We compare Proseal LMA (PLMA), Supreme LMA (SLMA) and Cobra Perilaryngeal Airway (CPLA) in terms of placement characteristics, leak pressure, haemodynamic data and post-operative side effects.

Methods:

A total of 150 adult patients scheduled for varices or one-sided inguinal hernia surgery were included in the study. Depending on the airway device used in surgery, the patients were divided into three different groups: PLMA Group (Group P), SLMA Group (Group S) and CPLA Group (Group P). Standard anaesthesia induction and maintenance was applied to all groups. In each one of the three groups, success in supraglottic airway (SGA) device placement, time needed for placement, placement complications, intra-operative haemodynamic data, percentage of air leak, peak pressure (Ppeak), mean pressure (Pmean), leak pressure values and side effects were recorded.

Results:

The time to successfull placement for PLMA, SLMA and CPLA was 20.4±4.2 sec, 17.6±4.3 sec and 19.6±3.4 sec respectively. The placement time for SLMA was significantly shorter. Leak pressure was 31.2±2.4 cmH2 O for Group P, 27.5±4.4 cmH2 O for Group S and 30.7±2.2 cmH2 O for Group C. The leak pressure values measured for Group P and Group C were higher than those in Group S. Side effects were observed more frequently in Group C during the post-operative period.

Conclusion:

All LMA devices provide sufficient airway clearance. With regards to the brevity of placement time, Supreme LMA was more efficient. However, as they had a higher leak pressure, we recommend CPLA and PLMA for surgeries that require high pressure ventilation. In addition, it is important to note that post-operative complications were observed more frequently with the CPLA.

Keywords: Airway management, laryngeal mask airway, general anaesthesia, seal pressure