RESUMO
The aim of this study was to identify the relationship between laryngeal mask airway [LMA] size and shape and pharyngolaryngeal morbidity after the use of a large [size 5 in males and size 4 in females] or small [size 4 in males and size 3 in females] and the use of proseal laryngeal mask.One hundred and fifty patients were included in this study. One hundred patients were allocated to insertion of a large or small LMA while breathing spontaneously during general anaesthesia. Another 50 patients [25 male and 25 femal] were allocated to insertion of the streamlined pharynx airway [proseal LMA]. The 2- and 24-h postoperative incidence of sore throat, pain, hoarseness, dysphagia, nausea and vomiting were assessed. After LMA removal, complications, as body movement, coughing, retching, regurgitation, vomiting, biting on the LMA, bronchospasm, laryngospasm, or the presence of blood on the LMA, were recorded. The use of a large LMA was associated with a higher incidence of sore throat in both sexes [20%vs. 7% in men, 21%vs. 5% in women; P < 0.05] 2 hour postoperative and at 24 h postoperatively a higher incidence of sore throat occurred in male patients [26%vs. 12%, P < 0.05]. Also a higher incidence of hoarseness occurred in male patients at 2 h postoperatively [21%vs. 9%, P < 0.05]. There were no difference in the incidence of complications of LMA removal such as difficulty swallowing, drinking, and eating, or nausea and vomiting, between male or female groups at any time period with the use of a large LMA.The use of the proseal larynx geal mask was without complaining of sore throat nor presence of blood on it upon removal. Insertion of this airway proved to be no more difficult than inserting a LMA. On conclusion; the use of a small laryngeal mask airway [size 4] in spontaneously breathing male patients and [size 3] in female patients and the proseal LMA may be more appropriate to decrease the incidence of sore throat on the first postoperative day