Deep versus awake removal of the laryngeal mask air way in children

ABSTRACT

We studied 74 children aged 1-10 years undergoing short elective surgical procedures with general anesthesia supplemented by regional anesthesia. Patients were randomly allocated to have the laryngeal mask air way removed either upon awakening or while anesthetized. Subsequent observation of respiratory factors and oxygen saturation showed a significant difference between the groups for coughing, with a greater incidence [50%] in the awake group compared with those where the laryngeal mask air way was removed while anesthetized [7.5%]. There ware clinical but not statistical differences in the incidence in laryngospasm, desaturation and excess salivation between the groups. We conclude that removal of the laryngeal mask airway during deep anesthesia reduced coughing in the immediate post operative period