Ease of Proseal Laryngeal Mask Airway insertion and its fibreoptic view after placement using Gum Elastic Bougie: a comparison with conventional techniques.

The Proseal Laryngeal Mask Airway (PLMA) is routinely inserted by the digital and introducer tool techniques but a newer Gum Elastic Bougie (GEB) guided insertion technique has been described. The aims and objectives were to compare the ease of PLMA insertion and fibreoptic view of PLMA after placement using GEB and conventional techniques. Ninety-six ASA I or II patients of either gender aged 18 to 60 years, scheduled for elective surgery under general anaesthesia in the supine position were included in this study. Following induction of anaesthesia, a PLMA was inserted using a GEB, introducer tool or digital technique in Groups G, I and D respectively (n = 32). Correct placement of the PLMA was confirmed by using clinical tests along with fibreoptic assessment. Ease of PLMA insertion was assessed by the number of attempts, time taken and number of patients requiring lateral approach for insertion. The fibreoptic view of PLMA placement through the airway tube was graded on a scale from 4 (best view) to 1 (worst view). GEB-guided PLMA insertion was more successful both after the first attempt (G 100%, I 69%, D 72%, P < 0.01) and after two attempts (G 100%, I 78%, D 84%, P < 0.05). Time taken for successful placement was significantly shorter in the GEB-guided group after two attempts (G 22 +/- 2 seconds, I 31.9 +/- 18.8 seconds, D 29.5 +/- 18.6 seconds, P < 0.05). The fibreoptic view through the airway tube was significantly better in the GEB-guided group (P < 0.01). Incidence of trauma was significantly less in the GEB-guided group (P < 0.05).