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Laryngeal mask cuff inflation at removal does not affect early postoperative laryngopharyngeal morbidity

[Un ballonnet encore gonflé lors du retrait du masque laryngé ne modifie pas la morbidité laryngo-pharyngée postopératoire]

From the Department of Anesthesia, University College Hospital, Galway, Ireland.

Dr. Brian O’Brien, Department of Intensive Care Medicine, The Alfred Hospital, Commercial Rd., Prahran 3181, Victoria, Australia. Phone: 613-92763036; Fax: 613-92763780; E-mail: drbobrien{at}hotmail.com

Purpose: We assessed the effect of cuff inflation of the laryngeal mask airway at removal on sore throat, pharyngeal morbidity and airway complications.

Methods: In a prospective randomized trial, we used a standardized technique of anesthesia and of laryngeal mask insertion in 126 consecutive day-case patients. Postoperatively, on eye opening, the masks were removed either inflated (Group A) or deflated (Group B) and examined for blood by a blinded observer. Episodes of coughing, gagging, laryngospasm, hiccups and retching, and symptoms of sore throat and hoarseness were recorded by the same observer.

Results: Demographics were similar. Bloodstaining occurred in 21% of patients in Group A (n = 63) vs 13% in Group B (n = 63; P = 0.23); the incidence of sore throat was identical (19%). Group A experienced more hoarseness (22% vs 9%; P = 0.05). Overall airway complications did not differ between groups (19% vs 11%; P = 0.21).

Conclusion: We conclude that removal of the laryngeal mask airway inflated does not reduce the incidence of sore throat, pharyngeal morbidity or airway complications.

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