Objectives: Clinical study of a new supraglottic single use airway device, the LTD with evaluation of insertion, efficiency during intermittent positive pressure ventilation and side effects.
Study design: Prospective, open clinical study.
Patients and methods: Fifty adult patients [33 years (26-55)] were scheduled for elective surgery (orthopaedic, plastic or maxillo-facial) under general anaesthesia less than two hours in dorsal position. No patient presented clinical sign of difficult airway management or risk of regurgitation. We studied easiness and delay for insertion, oro-pharyngeal leak pressure, peak airway pressure with positive pressure ventilation and side effects during the first 24 hours.
Results: Insertion was successful in 94%. Median insertion time was 38 s (32-45). Difficulties of insertions were found in 25%. Oro-pharyngeal leak pressure, always superior than peak pressure [18 cmH2O (15-21)] increased from 26 cmH2O (22-32.5) to 34 cmH2O (29-40) at the end of the surgery. No case of gastric inflation, regurgitation or SpO2<95% were noticed. Moderate sore throat incidence was 6% in recovery room, 15% at the sixth hour and absent at the 24th hour.
Conclusion: The learning curve was low< or =10. Insertion is easy. The quality of airway protection allows secure positive pressure ventilation. Postoperative side effects are minor and transient.