The intubating LMA: a comparison of insertion techniques with conventionaltracheal tubes

Purpose: To compare the performance of the intubating laryngeal mask airway (ILMA) in assisting blind tracheal intubation with conventional tracheal t ubes of different curvatures and the frequency of possible associated compl ications. Methods: After informed consent, 240 ASA I-II adults undergoing elective su rgery participated in a randomized, single blind clinical trial to receive blind trachea intubation via ILMA with a conventional tracheal tube curved with normal (Normal group) or reversed (Reverse group) direction. More than three attempts at intubation was regarded as failure. The lowest oxygen sa turation during intubation was recorded and postintubation sore throat and hoarseness were evaluated with verbal analog scales. Results: The overall success rates of intubation with Normal and Reverse gr oups were not different (96.7% and 94.2% respectively). Successful intubati on at the first attempt was higher in the Reverse group than in the Normal group (86.7% vs 75.0%, P=0.033). The incidence of sore throat: was higher i n the Normal group than in the Reverse group(19.2% vs 9.2% respectively, P = 0.042). Conclusions: Blind trachea intubation via an ILMA with the conventional cur ved tracheal tube is feasible and highly successful. Reverse curve directio n is preferable at the first attempt of intubation for its higher success r ate and lower incidence of complications.