Supraglottic airway device versus tracheal tube for pediatric laparoscopic surgery—A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract Background Conventionally, tracheal tubes have been used for general anesthesia in pediatric laparoscopic surgeries. Recently, supraglottic devices are being used for the same. The performance of supraglottic devices versus tracheal tubes in children undergoing laparoscopic surgery is uncertain. Methods A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials that compared supraglottic devices versus tracheal tubes in patients ≤18 years undergoing laparoscopic surgery under general anesthesia was conducted. The outcomes were peak airway pressures (cm H 2 O), end‐tidal carbon dioxide during pneumoperitoneum (mm Hg), recovery time (min), postoperative sore throat and adverse events. Mean difference and odds ratio, with 95% confidence intervals were reported using a random effect model. Results Eight trials ( n = 591) were included in the final meta‐analysis. There was no statistically significant difference in the peak airway pressures (MD 0.58, 95% CI: −0.65 to 1.8; p = .36) and end‐tidal carbon dioxide (MD −0.60, 95% CI: −2.00 to 0.80; p = .40) during pneumoperitoneum in the supraglottic device and the tracheal tube group. The tracheal tube group had higher odds of sore throat (OR 3.30, 95% CI: 1.69–6.45; p = .0005) and the supraglottic airway group had faster recovery time (MD 4.21, 95% CI: 3.12–5.31; p < .0001), which were statistically significant. The certainty of evidence is graded low. Conclusion There is low quality evidence to suggest that for pediatric laparoscopic surgeries of short duration, supraglottic devices could provide comparable intraoperative ventilation in terms of peak airway pressures and end tidal carbon dioxide, with lower odds of postoperative sore throat and faster recovery time when compared to tracheal tubes.