Use of the Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA) Protector™ for shoulder surgeries in beach-chair position

Anesthesia for the Patient Undergoing Shoulder Surgery

Shoulder surgery introduces important anesthesia considerations. The interscalene nerve block is considered the gold standard regional anesthetic technique and can serve as the primary anesthetic or can be used for postoperative analgesia. Phrenic nerve blockade is a limitation of the interscalene block and various phrenic-sparing strategies and techniques have been described. Patient positioning is another important anesthetic consideration and can be associated with significant hemodynamic effects and position-related injuries.

Anesthesia for the Patient Undergoing Shoulder Surgery

Shoulder surgery introduces important anesthesia considerations. The interscalene nerve block is considered the gold standard regional anesthetic technique and can serve as the primary anesthetic or can be used for postoperative analgesia. Phrenic nerve blockade is a limitation of the interscalene block and various phrenic-sparing strategies and techniques have been described. Patient positioning is another important anesthetic consideration and can be associated with significant hemodynamic effects and position-related injuries.

A prospective randomized comparison of airway seal using the novel vision-guided insertion of LMA-Supreme® and LMA-Protector®

The laryngeal mask airways supreme (LMA-Supreme™) and protector (LMA-Protector™) are generally placed blindly, often resulting in a less than optimal position and vision-guided placement has been recommended. This prospective, randomized controlled study compared the efficacy of airway seal by measuring the oropharyngeal leak pressure in 100 surgical patients who underwent a variety of non-thoracic surgery under general anaesthesia, suitable with a supraglottic airway device. Patients were allocated to either the LMA-Supreme (n = 50) or LMA-Protector (n = 50) group. All insertions were performed under vision of a videolaryngoscope using an 'insert-detect-correct-as-you-go' technique with standardized corrective measures. Our primary endpoint, mean oropharyngeal leak pressure, was significantly higher in the LMA-Protector (31.7 ± 2.9 cm H₂O) compared to the LMA-Supreme (27.7 ± 3.5 cm H₂O) group (mean difference 4.0 cm H₂O, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.7-5.3 cm H₂O, p < 0.001) after achieving a near-optimal fibreoptic position in the LMA-Protector (94%) and LMA-Supreme (96%) groups. No statistically significant differences were shown for secondary outcomes of alignment, number of insertion attempts and malpositions, and final anatomical position as scored by fibreoptic evaluation. Corrective manoeuvres were required in virtually all patients to obtain a correct anatomically positioned LMA. Position outcomes of the two devices were similar except for the proportion of procedures with folds in the proximal cuff (90% LMA-Supreme vs. 2% LMA-Protector, p < 0.001), the need for intracuff pressure adjustments (80% LMA-Supreme vs. 48% LMA-Protector, p = 0.001) and size correction (18% LMA-Supreme vs. 4% LMA-Protector, p = 0.025). In conclusion, a higher oropharyngeal leak pressure can be achieved with LMA-Protector compared to LMA-Supreme with optimal anatomical position when insertion is vision-guided.

Laryngeal Mask Airway Protector™ for intubation and extubation in thyroid surgeries: A case report

The laryngeal mask airway (LMA) Protector™ has recently made its way into clinical practice. As little is reported on this novel supraglottic airway device, we describe our experiences through intubation and Bailey manoeuvre using the LMA Protector™, and the assessment of vocal cord mobility using a flexible bronchoscope through it in three patients undergoing hemithyroidectomies.