Comparison and evaluation of single-use LMA supreme versus the reusable proseal LMA in paralyzed patients undergoing surgery with controlled ventilation.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The objective of this prospective randomized blinded study was to assess the safety and efficacy of the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) Supreme as compared with the LMA Proseal. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 60 patients were randomised into two groups to either receive a Proseal LMA (PLMA) or Supreme LMA (SLMA) for airway management. The primary outcome was to measure oropharyngeal leak pressure (OLP) in both groups. The secondary outcomes were the measurement of insertion time, insertion success rate, fibreoptic grading, intracuff pressure, ease of ventilation, and airway pressure on standard ventilatory settings and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Intracuff pressure increase after 60 minutes of induction was significantly higher in the PLMA group (PLMA 97.43 ± 11.03 cm of H2O and SLMA 75.17 ± 8.95 cm of H2O). OLP was recorded after device insertion, after 30 min and after 60 min in each group and was found to be 28.71 ± 2.97, 30.93 ± 2.87, and 31.93 ± 2.72 cm of H2O in PLMA and 24.84 ± 2.08, 26.73 ± 2.26, and 27.95 ± 2.55 cm of H2O in SLMA group, respectively. The mean OLP with the SLMA was significantly (p=<.001) lower than PLMA. All the other parameters were comparable in both groups. CONCLUSION: PLMA is better than SLMA as airway device to ventilate at higher airway pressure in paralyzed adult patients. On the basis of our study, we recommend Proseal over Supreme LMA.

Comparative study of fiber-optic guided tracheal intubation through intubating laryngeal mask airway LMA Fastrach™ and i-gel in adult paralyzed patients.

BACKGROUND: The i-gel is a novel and innovative supraglottic airway management device used both as an airway rescue device and as a conduit for fiberoptic intubation. In this prospective randomized study, we compared fiberoptic-guided tracheal intubation through the i-gel and LMA Fastrach™ in adult paralyzed patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After ethical committee approval and written informed consent, 60 patients of either sex were randomly allocated to either group of supraglottic airway device (SGAD). After successful insertion of the SGAD, the fiberoptic bronchoscope (FOB)-guided tracheal intubation was done through the respective SGAD. The primary objectives were the ease and time taken for fiberoptic-guided intubation in either group. Secondary variables included time taken for successful placement of SGAD, ease of insertion of SGAD, airway seal pressure, ease and time of removal of SGAD, variation in hemodynamic parameters, and complications if any. RESULTS: Time taken for tracheal intubation in LMA Fastrach™ group was 69.53 ± 5.09 s and for the i-gel group it was 72.33 ± 6.73 s. It was seen that it was easy to insert the endotracheal tube (ETT) in 93.3% patients in the LMA Fastrach™ group and 96.7% patients in the i-gel group. Airway seal pressure was higher for the LMA Fastrach™ group. Both the SGADs were comparable in the number of attempts of insertion, ease of insertion, and insertion time. In addition, the hemodynamic variables noted did not show any increase after insertion of SGAD. There was no difficulty encountered in removal of either SGAD. CONCLUSION: I-gel may be a reliable and cost-effective alternative to LMA Fastrach™ for fibreoptic-guided tracheal intubation.

Anesthetic management of an elderly patient with kyphoscoliosis and dilated cardiomyopathy posted for abdominal hysterectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy.

A 76-year-old kyphoscoliotic female patient presented with severe pain and sudden acute abdominal distension for 1-week and was diagnosed to have right-sided massive twisted ovarian cyst. The patient was a known case of hypertension, dilated cardiomyopathy with low 20% cardiac ejection fraction. Though very few incidences of multiple co-morbid conditions existing together in a single elderly patient have been reported in the past, it is important to titrate the dosage, type of anesthetic agents and their routes of administration in high risk patients.

Cauda equina syndrome after spinal anaesthesia in a patient with asymptomatic tubercular arachnoiditis.

A 14-year-old boy underwent emergency debridement surgery of right foot under spinal anaesthesia. Four hours after the surgery, the patient developed symptoms of cauda equina syndrome (CES). Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging of the patient's spine suggested underlying tubercular arachnoiditis. The boy was started on intravenous methylprednisolone and antitubercular therapy. He responded to the therapy and recovered completely in 2 weeks without any residual neurological deficits. We suggest that underlying pathological changes in the subarachnoid space due to tubercular arachnoiditis contributed to maldistribution of the local anaesthetic drug leading to CES.