Premium
Evaluation of air‐Q TM intubating laryngeal airway as a conduit for tracheal intubation in infants – a pilot study
Author(s) -
Sinha Renu,
Chandralekha ,
Ray Bikash Ranjan
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
pediatric anesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.704
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1460-9592
pISSN - 1155-5645
DOI - 10.1111/j.1460-9592.2011.03710.x
Subject(s) - medicine , intubation , anesthesia , stylet , airway , tracheal intubation , tracheal tube , laryngeal mask airway , surgery , laryngeal masks , pulmonary aspiration
Summary Background: Air‐Q TM intubating laryngeal airway (ILA) has been used successfully as a conduit for tracheal intubation in pediatric difficult airway. However, its use as an airway device and conduit for intubation in infants is not yet evaluated. Aims: The primary objective was to evaluate ILA as a conduit for tracheal intubation in infants, and secondary objectives were to evaluate ILA in terms of ease of insertion and ventilation, oropharyngeal leak pressure (OLP), glottic view, and complications. Methods: Twenty infants with normal airway were included. After induction of general anesthesia and neuromuscular blockade, ILA (size 1.0/1.5) was inserted. Fiberoptic bronchoscope (FOB)–guided intubation and removal of ILA with the stabilizing stylet was attempted. Results: The mean age and weight of the infants were 7.5 ± 2.3 months and 7.3 ± 1.8 kg. The ILA sizes 1.0 and 1.5 were inserted in 10 infants each according to the weight of the infants. The mean OLP was 18.5 ± 1.8 cm H 2 O, and mean time for insertion of ILA was 13.3 ± 3.9 s. Glottic view was grade I in 6, grade II in 1, grade III in 4, and grade IV in nine infants. Tracheal intubation was successful in 19/20 infants. The mean endotracheal tube (ETT) insertion time and mean total time (ILA insertion to the confirmation of ETT placement) were 95.6 ± 32.3 s and 306.42 ± 120.2 s respectively. Conclusion: The ILA is a safe and easy‐to‐use supraglottic airway device for intubation with FOB in infants with normal airway. Insertion and removal of ILA are easy with satisfactory oropharyngeal seal and ventilation.