Comparison Between the Supreme Laryngeal Mask Airway and the Laryngeal Tube Suction During Spontaneous Ventilation

The Supreme Laryngeal Mask Airway (SLMA), (Intavent Orthofix, Maidenhead, UK), and Laryngeal Tube Suction -Disposable (LTS-D, (VBM Medizintechnik GmbH, Sulz, Germany), are second generation single-use supraglottic airway devices (SADs) with gastric access, for airway management in spontaneously and mechanically ventilated patients undergoing general anesthesia.

The SLMA has been compared to the Proseal Laryngeal Mask Airway (PLMA) during mechanical and spontaneous ventilation the LTS II (multiple use version of the LTS-D) with the PLMA.

Recently, the LTS-D and SLMA have been compared when used during pressure controlled mechanical ventilation.

To date, there is no published data comparing the SLMA to the LTS-D during spontaneous ventilation. The investigators hypothesized that the SLMA and LTS-D perform similarly during spontaneous ventilation despite differences in their structural design.

The chief aim of this prospective randomized study was to compare the SLMA and the LTS-D with respect to 1) Oxygen saturation and End Tidal carbone dioxide during spontaneous ventilation, 2) time to achieve an effective airway, 3) ease of insertion, 4) need for interventions to achieve an effective airway, 5) cuff seal (leak) pressure at an intracuff pressure of 60 cm H2O, 6) ventilatory variables during spontaneous ventilation, 7) fiberoptic score, 8) adverse perioperative events.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients, American Society of Anesthesiologists ( ASA) physical status I and II, with normal airways for minor elective surgery.

Exclusion criteria

• Age <18 years,
• Weight <50 kg,
• Cervical spine disease limiting neck a known difficult airway, and
• Patients with active gastroesophageal reflux.