Tracheal intubation in morbidly obese patients: a comparison of the Intubating Laryngeal Mask Airway™ and Laryngeal Mask Airway CTrach™

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the Intubating Laryngeal Mask Airway™ (ILMA) and Laryngeal Mask Airway CTrach™ (LMA CTrach) in facilitating tracheal intubation in morbidly obese patients. Eighty patients (body mass index >40 kg x m(-2)) were randomly allocated to the ILMA or the LMA CTrach. The median (IQR [range]) total time taken for tracheal intubation was shorter with the ILMA than with the LMA CTrach (78 (63-105 [40-265]) s vs 128 (98-221 [60-423]) s, respectively; p<0.001). Significantly more manoeuvres were applied for the satisfactory ventilation and viewing of the glottis with the LMA CTrach (25% vs 55% with the ILMA; p=0.006). During the postoperative period, there was more sore throat with the LMA CTrach (p<0.02). We conclude that the ILMA results in shorter intubation times with fewer manoeuvres and sore throat compared with the LMA CTrach in the morbidly obese.