Canadian Journal of Anesthesia, Vol 46, 670-674, Copyright © 1999 by Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society

ARTICLES

Laryngeal mask insertion using thiopental and low dose atracurium: a comparison with propofol

KF Koh, FG Chen, KF Cheong and V Esuvaranathan
Department of Anaesthesia, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore. anakohkf@nus.edu.sg

PURPOSE: To compare the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) insertion conditions produced by propofol and a thiopental - low dose atracurium combination. METHODS: In a randomized controlled double blind study, 120 premedicated patients were allocated into four groups. After pre-oxygenation, anesthesia was induced as follows: 1 microg x kg(-1) fentanyl, 2.5 mg x kg(-1) propofol (group I); 1 microg x kg(-1) fentanyl, 5 mg x kg(-1) thiopental (group II); 1 microg x kg(-1) fentanyl, 5 mg x kg(-1) thiopental, 0.05 mg x kg(-1) or 0.1 mg x kg(-1) atracurium (groups III and IV respectively). The LMA was inserted by a blinded anesthesiologist who also assessed the following insertion conditions on a three point scale; jaw relaxation, biting, gagging, coughing, presence of laryngospasm, adequacy of airway patency, number of attempts at insertion and overall insertion conditions. RESULTS: There was no difference in insertion conditions between groups I, III and IV. Group II produced the worst overall conditions (P<0.05). There were no differences in hemodynamic changes and apnea times between all four groups. CONCLUSION: The combination of fentanyl-thiopental with low dose atracurium (0.05 or 0.1 mg x kg(-1)) provided conditions comparable with those of propofol for LMA insertion.