Comparison of Ambu AuraGain at low cuff pressure, Ambu AuraGain at high cuff pressure and i-gel in relation to incidence of postoperative upper airway complications

Abstract

Background and Aims: Postoperative upper airway complications are frequently encountered with the use of supraglottic airway devices (SADs). Cuff pressure is one of the risk factors for upper airway complications with SADs. Among SADs, i-gel has shown lesser incidence. The effect of different cuff pressures on the incidence of postoperative upper airway complications is not known with Ambu AuraGain and nor has Ambu AuraGain been compared with i-gel in this regard. So, we undertook this study. Methods: A total of 200 patients undergoing elective laparoscopic surgery were randomised into 3 groups based on the SAD used and intra-cuff pressure: i-gel (IG) (n = 66); Ambu AuraGain at 25 cmH2O cuff pressure (AL) (n = 67); and Ambu AuraGain at 60 cmH2O cuff pressure (AH) (n = 67). The oropharyngeal leak pressures (OLPs) were measured after insertion and generation of carboperitoneum. An observer who was blind to the intraoperative details assessed the patients for two postoperative days for sore throat, dysphagia, dysphonia, or any other upper airway complications. Results: The OLPs before and after carboperitoneum in the 3 groups were (IG-24.22 ± 7.87 and 28.31 ± 8.52, AL-24.40 ± 5.84 and 26.94 ± 5.93, AH-25.02 ± 5.02 and 28.91 ± 5.6) cmH2O (P = 0.747 and P = 0.231). The overall incidence of postoperative sore throat among the 3 groups was: IG-5.7%, AL-14.9%, and AH-17.9%; P = 0.135. Dysphagia was seen only with Ambu AuraGain at high pressure in 4 patients (5.97%) (P = 0.017). Conclusion: Limiting cuff pressure in Ambu AuraGain to 25, as against 60 cmH2O, does not affect the OLP but has the potential of reducing the incidence of dysphagia.