title: A comparison of the disposable Ambu AuraOnce Laryngeal Mask with the reusable LMA Classic laryngeal mask airway.
abstract: Single-use supraglottic airway devices are now available and are intended to be comparable with the reusable LMA Classic laryngeal mask airway. We performed a randomised cross-over study comparing the Ambu AuraOnce Laryngeal Mask with the LMA Classic. Fifty patients participated in the trial. Success rates for insertion at the first attempt were similar (92% with the Ambu and 84% with the LMA Classic; p = 0.22). The volumes of air required to inflate the cuff to produce a seal were similar, but the cuff pressure was lower for the Ambu Laryngeal Mask (median (IQR [range]) 18 (10-31 [0-100] cmH(2)O) than the LMA Classic 27 (17-50 [4-90] cmH(2)O; p = 0.007). Visual analogue scores for ease of insertion were 87 (73-93 [26-97]) mm for the Ambu and 84 (60-89 [18-96]) for the LMA Classic (p = 0.017). Complications were similar in both groups. We suggest that the disposable Ambu Laryngeal Mask is an acceptable alternative to the reusable LMA Classic.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthestics and Intensive Care Medicine, Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK. sudhirg@cf.ac.uk
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sudhir
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Redfern
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Wilkes
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004209:Disposable Equipment; D017743:Equipment Reuse; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D017214:Laryngeal Masks / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged