Safety and Efficacy of a Novel Intubating Laryngeal Mask during the recovery period following Supratentorial Tumour Surgery

Abstract

Objective: To assess safety and efficacy of a novel intubation laryngeal mask airway (ILMA) during the recovery period following supratentorial tumour surgery.

Methods: Patients who underwent supratentorial tumour surgery at our centre from January 2012 to December 2016 were eligible for this prospective randomised, parallel group study. We developed a novel ILMA using closely fitting laryngeal masks (No. 4/5) with 7.0/7.5 mm endotracheal tubes (ETT) plus screw fixators and anti-pollution sleeves.

Results: In total, 100 patients were intubated with the novel ILMA and 100 the ETT. There were no differences between groups in haemodynamic variables, oxygen saturation, exhaled CO₂, or bispectral index all recorded during the 72-hour recovery period. However, there were significantly fewer incidences of coughing, less fluid drainage and lower haemoglobin levels in surgical fluid in the ILMA group compared with the ETT group.

Conclusion: Our novel ILMA device was associated with reduced coughing, fluid drainage and blood in surgical drain during the recovery period following supratentorial tumour surgery.

Keywords: brain tumour; extubation; laryngeal mask; tracheal tube.

Figure 1.

Design of the intubating laryngeal mask (ILMA). Diagram showing that the ILMA can easily transition between tracheal tube mode and the laryngeal mask mode.