Newer Airway Gadgets: Rescuers in Difficult Airway Scenarios

Background: As anaesthetists, we may constantly be in the learning curve of the management of difficult airway scenario. It can have a disastrous outcome if one is not adequately prepared with the right equipment. Over time there has been multiple ways to tackle difficult airway scenarios. Needless to say, appropriate airway gadgets are carefully chosen according to the surgery and patient characteristics. But what if these certain techniques fail? Then, what next? The inability to efficiently manage a difficult airway is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in anaesthetic practice. Here, we discuss 4 different case scenarios of difficult airway management. case reports:Case 1 was a pediatric patient with TMJ ankylosis, with mouth opening 4mm, in whom we used the fibreoptic technique. Case 2- A failed fibreoptic attempt in a case of recurrent Ca oral cavity where we secured the airway using Airtraq videolaryngoscope. Case 3- A patient with post burn contracture over front of neck and anterior shoulder where we decided to use intubating laryngeal mask airway for securing airway and Case 4- An obese female patient posted for hysterolaparoscopy where we used the Laryngeal Mask Airway Supreme. Conclusion: Effective usage of newer drugs, equipment and airway gadgets by technically skilled personnel, with sound clinical judgement are essential factors in reducing airway related adverse scenario and it is of utmost importance to keep these alternate gadgets handy and to be proficient with its usage.

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Comparison of the Intubating Laryngeal Mask Airway with the Fiberoptic Intubation in Anticipated Difficult Airway Management

Anesthesiology ◽

10.1097/00000542-200106000-00009 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 94 (6) ◽

pp. 968-972 ◽

Cited By ~ 98

Author(s):

Olivier Langeron ◽

François Semjen ◽

Jean-Louis Bourgain ◽

Alain Marsac ◽

Anne-Marie Cros

Keyword(s):

Laryngeal Mask Airway ◽

Tracheal Intubation ◽

Adverse Events ◽

Oxygen Saturation ◽

Difficult Airway ◽

Difficult Intubation ◽

Laryngeal Mask ◽

Fiberoptic Intubation ◽

Alternative Technique ◽

Intubating Laryngeal Mask Airway

Background The intubating laryngeal mask airway (ILMA; Fastrach; Laryngeal Mask Company, Henley-on-Thames, UK) may provide an alternative technique to fiberoptic intubation (FIB) to facilitate the management of the anticipated difficult airway. The authors therefore compared the effectiveness of the ILMA with FIB in patients with anticipated difficult intubation. Methods One hundred patients, with at least one difficult intubation criteria (Mallampati class III or IV, thyromental distance < 65 mm, interincisor distance < 35 mm) were enrolled (FIB group, n = 49; ILMA group, n = 51) in this prospective randomized study. Anesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with alfentanil and propofol after an efficient mask ventilation has been demonstrated. The success of the technique (within three attempts), the number of attempts, duration of the successful attempt, and adverse events (oxygen saturation < 90%, bleeding) were recorded. Results The rate of successful tracheal intubation with ILMA was 94% and comparable with FIB (92%). The number of attempts and the time to succeed were not significantly different between groups. In case of failure of the first technique, the alternative technique always succeeded. Failures in FIB group were related to oxygen desaturation (oxygen saturation < 90%) and bleeding, and to previous cervical radiotherapy in the ILMA group. Adverse events occurred significantly more frequently in FIB group than in ILMA group (18 vs. 0%, P < 0.05). Conclusion The authors obtained a high success rate and comparable duration of tracheal intubation with ILMA and FIB techniques. In patients with previous cervical radiotherapy, the use of ILMA cannot be recommended. Nevertheless, the use of the ILMA was associated with fewer adverse events.

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Intubating Laryngeal Mask Airway

Anaesthesia and Intensive Care ◽

10.1177/0310057x0203000503 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 30 (5) ◽

pp. 551-569 ◽

Cited By ~ 45

Author(s):

G. Caponas

Keyword(s):

Laryngeal Mask Airway ◽

Airway Management ◽

Difficult Airway ◽

Success Rate ◽

Laryngeal Mask ◽

Oesophageal Perforation ◽

Clinical Consequence ◽

Neutral Position ◽

Valuable Adjunct ◽

Intubating Laryngeal Mask Airway

The Intubating Laryngeal Mask Airway (ILMA) was introduced into clinical practice in 1997 following numerous clinical trials involving 1110 patients. The success rate of blind intubation via the device after two attempts is 88% in “routine” cases. Successful intubation in a variety of difficult airway scenarios, including awake intubation, has been described, with the overall success rate in the 377 patients reported being approximately 98%. The use of the ILMA by the novice operator has also been investigated with conflicting reports as to its suitability for emergency intubation in this setting.Blind versus visualized intubation techniques have also been investigated. These techniques may provide some benefits in improved safety and success rates, although the evidence is not definitive. The use of a visualizing technique is recommended, especially whilst experience with intubation via the ILMA is being gained. The risk of oesophageal intubation is reported as 5% and one death has been described secondary to the complications of oesophageal perforation during blind intubation. Morbidity described with the use of the ILMA includes sore throat, hoarse voice and epiglottic oedema. Haemodynamic changes associated with intubation via the ILMA are of minimal clinical consequence.The ILMA is a valuable adjunct to the airway management armamentarium, especially in cases of difficult airway management. Success with the device is more likely if the head of the patient is maintained in the neutral position, when the operator has practised at least 20 previous insertions and when the accompanying lubricated armoured tube is used.

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