Objective:

Laryngeal mask airway (LMA) has been used to secure the airway in pediatric patients and its safety and efficacy has been shown in several large-scale studies. A new LMA with a gastric drainage tube ie. Proseal LMA was introduced in 2000 with the intention of providing a more secure airway for airway management. In this study, we compared LMA-Proseal and LMA-Classic in children for ease of insertion, success rates at first attempt of insertion, and airway sealing pressures.

Material and Methods:

After the approval of the Ethics Committee, 36 pediatric patients between 2-7 years of age, ASA status I-II who were undergoing elective surgery were included in the study. The patients were randomly assigned to LMA-Classic or LMA-ProSeal group for airway management using sealed envelope method. All patients were premedicated before induction of anesthesia. After standard monitorization, anesthesia was induced by inhalation of nitrous oxide, oxygen and sevoflurane or iv anesthesia with propofol (3-5 mg kg-1), and fentanyl (1 mcg kg-1). Airway devices were inserted by the same anesthesiologist. Ease of insertion, the number of insertion attempts and the airway sealing pressures were recorded.

Results:

Although insertion of Classical LMA was much easier than Proseal LMA, there was no statistically significant difference between them. Duration of insertion with both of the airway devices was comparable. There wasn’t any significant difference as for postoperative complications between both groups.

Conclusion:

Both Classical LMA and Proseal LMA can be used with success in order to achieve secure and effective airway management in pediatric patients.

Keywords: Pediatric Anesthesia, Classic Laryngeal Mask, Proseal Laryngeal Mask