We evaluated the ability of inexperienced personnel in using a prototype illuminated flexible catheter to assist tracheal intubation through the intubating laryngeal mask in anaesthetised, paralysed patients. The device consists of a completely flexible thin plastic catheter, a bulb attached to its distal end and a 15-mm concentric adapter at its proximal end. The illuminated catheter is placed into a straight silicone tracheal tube in such a way that the bulb is placed at the distal end of the tracheal tube. Six nurses inexperienced in tracheal intubation followed a 2-hr training program by using the device through the intubating laryngeal mask in a mannequin and then intubated 10 patients each, with instruction from an anaesthetist. All patients (n = 60) were ASA 1–2, scheduled to undergo general anaesthesia for elective surgery. After fentanyl/propofol induction the intubating laryngeal mask was inserted. When an adequate airway was established, patients received atracurium and the endotracheal tube preloaded with the device was inserted through the intubating laryngeal mask and by observing the glow in the neck was advanced into the trachea. The final outcome and the duration of the procedure were recorded. The intubating laryngeal mask was inserted successfully in all patients. The success rate of intubation was 57/60 (95%); 38 patients at first attempt and 19 after two or three attempts. The mean (±SD) duration of the procedure in the first five patients in the series of each nurse was 74±40 s while in the last five patients it was diminished to 52±23 s (P= 0.01). We conclude that the described methodology has the potential for more widespread use of tracheal intubation through the intubating laryngeal mask even by inexperienced personnel.

We evaluated the efficacy of a newly developed prototype illuminated flexible catheter to facilitate tracheal intubation through the intubating laryngeal mask and compared this light-guided technique with the conventional blind tracheal intubation through the intubating laryngeal mask. The illuminated flexible catheter consists of a completely flexible thin plastic catheter, a bulb attached to its distal end, a 15-mm concentric adapter at its proximal end connected with a battery and a power switch. The device is placed into a silicone tracheal tube in such a way that the bulb protrudes from the distal end of the tracheal tube. One hundred adult patients, ASA I–III, scheduled to undergo propofol/fentanyl/atracurium anaesthesia for elective surgery were studied. All participants underwent a randomized double comparative cross over trial with respect to the tracheal intubation technique through the intubating laryngeal mask. The light guided tracheal intubation was performed as follows; the tracheal tube preloaded with the illuminated flexible catheter was inserted through the intubating laryngeal mask and by observing the glow in the neck was advanced into the trachea. Whenever resistance was felt during insertion, appropriate adjusting man oeuvres were performed. The intubating laryngeal mask was inserted successfully in all patients. The success rate for the blind and light-guided technique was 91% and 100%, respectively (P=0.003). The mean (±SD) duration including appropriate intubating laryngeal mask placement and tracheal intubation, was significantly lower in the light-guided tracheal intubation technique, than with the blind tracheal in-tubation (31±8s vs. 43±18s; P=0.0001). We conclude that the use of an illuminated flexible catheter carries advantages either in optimizing the intubating laryngeal mask position in the laryngopharynx or in achieving a quick and safe light-guided advancement from laryngopharynx into the trachea.

The cuffed oropharyngeal airway (COPA) was compared with the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) with respect to airway quality and respiratory adverse events in 140 spontaneously breathing patients undergoing procedures of duration more than 1 h. Patients were allocated randomly to receive either a COPA (n=72) or a LMA (n=68) for airway management during anaesthesia induced with propofol and maintained with sevoflurane, nitrous oxide and oxygen. Groups were similar when comparing the first-time successful insertion rates (COPA: 94.5%, LMA: 95.6%), but airway manipulations (head tilt, chin lift, jaw thrust) were reported more frequently in the COPA group, 27.8% vs. LMA, 4.4%; P=0.0005. During the post-induction apnoeic period, all patients were ventilated manually and although, mean (SD) leak pressure was lower in the COPA group (18 (4) cm H2O vs. LMA, 22 (3) cm H2O; P< 0.0001), the tidal volumes achieved did not differ in both groups: COPA, 9.5 (4) mL kg−1 vs. LMA, 10.5 (4.5) mL kg−1. The incidences of intra-operative coughing, gagging, laryngospasm, oxygen desaturation and hypercarbia were similar in both groups. Although both devices are equivalent with respect to the overall respiratory problems during spontaneous breathing anaesthesia of intermediate or prolonged duration, the LMA was associated with fewer airway quality problems, suggesting that it is more efficacious in securing the airway.