Comparison of Clinical Performance of Supraglottic Airway Devices in Elderly Patients: A Prospective Randomized Trial

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Airway management in the elderly may be challenging. Supraglottic airway devices (SADs) may be used to provide airway security. The aim of study was to compare the efficacy and safety of different SADs, LMA classic (c-LMA), proseal LMA (p-LMA) and i-gel in anaesthetised and non-paralysed elderly patients. METHODS: The study was approved by a local ethics committee. Eighty patients, aged older than 65 years, who were scheduled to undergo elective urological or orthopaedic surgery participated in the study. Each patient was randomly allocated into 1 of 3 groups: Group C: c-LMA (n = 26), Group P: p-LMA (n = 27) or Group I: i-gel (n = 27). The primary outcome was oropharyngeal sealing pressure (OSP). Secondary outcomes included the adequacy of positive pressure ventilation, ease of insertion, success rates, time to insertion, haemodynamic response and complications such as sore throat and dysphagia. RESULTS: There were no significant differences among the groups with respect to OSP (p=0.852), whereas there was a statistically significant difference between Group I and Group C in terms of leak volume and leak fraction ( p= 0.042 and p = 0.020, respectively ). Adverse events were similar among the groups (p > 0.05). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In this study, although the leak volume and leak fraction were lower in i-gel inserted patients, it was shown that i-gel, c-LMA and p-LMA provided adequate airway in elderly patients who were not applied muscle relaxants and will be operated under general anesthesia.