Intubating Laryngeal Mask Airway for Airway Management and Blind Tracheal Intubation Through It From 360° Around a Supine Patient: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Study in a Simulated Prehospital Emergency Scenario

Introduction In emergency situations, airway management is often given priority over other treatment methods. The preferred technique for airway management of unconscious patients is endotracheal intubation, which has become the standard of care. Intubation of the trachea not only enables controlled ventilation even for extended periods and in any position but also allows for the removal of tracheal secretions. Supraglottic airways have several advantages over endotracheal intubation, including faster insertion, less need for neuromuscular blockade, and less hemodynamic instability. They can also be used as a bridge to intubation or as a rescue device when intubation fails or is contraindicated. The aim of this randomized controlled clinical study is to simulate a prehospital emergency/disaster scenario to evaluate and study the feasibility and effectiveness of the use of intubating laryngeal mask airway (ILMA) for onsite airway management from 360 degrees around the patient's head as in such situations, there may be limited or no access behind the head of the victim. Such a scenario can be extrapolated to disaster conditions where the victims may be trapped under the rubble following a building collapse /earthquake or are trapped in a vehicular road traffic/ train accident. It may take substantial time for extrication and evacuation of such patients to a hospital and hence it may be life-saving to provide prompt and early onsite airway management from wherever access is possible around the victim. We believe that the provision of a steel handle integrated with the airway tube may provide an opportunity for successful insertion of the device from 360 degrees around the patient merely by suitably changing the way the handle is gripped, so as to allow a single-handed smooth arc-like movement of the device for insertion, irrespective of the position of the rescuer relative to the patient's head. Objectives Our objective is to study the ease and time of insertion of ILMA, the number of attempts for successful ILMA insertion, and oropharyngeal leak pressure attained from unconventional positions in a supine patient. Materials and methods This prospective, randomized, observer-blinded controlled trial included 90 patients undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia. Patients were randomized using a chit and box system for group allocation. Groups were as follows: Group 1 (n=30) - Investigator standing on the back of the head of the patient (0°); Group 2 (n=30) - Investigator standing on the left side facing the patient (120°); Group 3 (n=30) - Investigator standing on the right side facing the patient (240°). Then ease and time of insertion of ILMA, number of attempts for successful ILMA insertion and oropharyngeal leak pressure were noted, and intergroup comparison was done. Conclusion ILMA has proved to be an effective ventilatory device and a suitable conduit for intubation in patients lying in the supine position from a conventional standard position standing behind the head of the patient, as well as non-conventional position, facing the patient at 120° or 240° from the standard position.