Comparison of proseal laryngeal mask and endotracheal tube for airway safety in pediatric strabismus surgery

Objectives: To compare proseal laryngeal mask airway (PLMA) with an endotracheal tube (ET) for airway safety, maintained ease of insertion, and hemodynamic stability in pediatric strabismus surgery (PSS). Methods: This prospective-randomized clinical study was carried out in the Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Gaziantep University, Turkey between April 2008 and July 2009. Eighty American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) I-II children, weight 10-30 kg, aged between 1-12 years undergoing PSS were selected. The anesthesia was induced with 8% sevoflurane, 50% nitrous oxide/oxygen mixture, and a neuromuscular blockade with 0.5 mg/kg atracurium in both groups. After a sufficient dosage of anesthesia, the patients were randomized into 2 groups (Group P: PLMA, n= 40, Group T: ET, n=40) and an airway management device; either a PLMA or ET was inserted. The number of placement attempts, placement success or failure, success or failure of a gastric suction tube placement during the procedures and perioperative complications were assessed. Results: Thirty-eight patients (95%) in the PLMA group, 39 (97.5%) patients in the ET group were successfully placed with a PLMA and ET on the first attempt (p>0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the hemodynamic parameters, end-tidal carbon dioxide, and complications. Conclusion: This study revealed that PLMA may offer an alternative airway to ET wherein positive pressure ventilation was the preferred choice for children undergoing PSS.