Laryngeal mask airway insertion in children: comparison between rotational, lateral and standard technique

Summary Background: The purpose of the study was to compare the success and ease of insertion of three techniques of laryngeal mask airway (LMA) insertion; the standard Brain technique, a lateral technique with cuff partially inflated and a rotational technique with cuff partially inflated. Methods: One hundred and sixty‐eight ASA I and II children aged 6 months to 6 years undergoing short elective surgical procedures lasting 40–60 min were included in the study. A standard anesthesia protocol was followed for all patients. Patients were randomly allocated into one of the three groups i.e. standard (S), rotational (R) and lateral (L). The primary outcome measure of the study was success rate at the first attempt using three techniques of LMA insertion. Secondary outcomes measures studied were overall success rate, time before successful LMA insertion, complications and maneuvers used to relieve airway obstruction. Results: Successful insertion at the first attempt was significantly higher in group R (96%) compared with group L (84%) and group S (80%) ( P = 0.03). Overall success rate (i.e. successful insertion with two attempts) was 100% for group R, 93% for group L and 87% for group S ( P = 0.03). Time for successful insertion was significantly lower in group R compared with group L and S ( P < 0.001). The incidence of complications was lower in group R. Conclusions: A rotational technique with partially inflated cuff is associated with the highest success rate of insertion and lowest incidence of complications and could be the technique of first choice for LMA insertion in pediatric patients.