Incidence of sore throat in children following use of flexible laryngeal mask airways - impact of an introducer device.
BACKGROUND
Insertion of a flexible laryngeal mask airway (FLMA) is more difficult and therefore might result in a higher risk for trauma to the upper airway. To facilitate the insertion of FLMA, the use of an introducer device (Portex Limited, Hythe, Kent, UK) was promoted. However, the impact of the use of this device on the occurrence of postoperative sore throat is unknown.


METHODS
Four hundred children (3-21 years) undergoing elective ambulatory surgery were consecutively included in this study. In 196 cases, the FLMA was inserted using an introducer device. The FLMA cuff was then inflated and the pressure adjusted to below 60 cmH(2)O (according to manufacturers guidelines) using a calibrated cuff manometer (Portex Limited). Three types of FLMA were available: FLMA classic, FLMA unique (both FLMA PacMed, Richmond, Victoria, Australia) and FLMA ProBreathe (Well Lead Medical Co Ltd., Hualong, Guangzhou, China). Prior to discharge, patients' pain was assessed using an age appropriate scale.


RESULTS
Thirteen children (3.3%) developed sore throat, two (0.5%) sore neck and three (0.75%) sore jaw. Of those that developed sore throat, seven had a FLMA inserted with an introducer, six without an introducer. Using a laryngeal mask airways (LMA) with a polyvinyl chloride (PVC), surface was associated with a higher risk for sore throat compared with an LMA with a silicone surface (P = 0.0002).


CONCLUSIONS
In this study with controlled low cuff pressures, the incidence of sore throat was low. The use of an introducer device did not affect the rate of sore throat.
William
Anthea
A
Department of Anesthesia, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Perth, Australia.
Chambers
Neil A
NA
Erb
Thomas O
TO
von Ungern-Sternberg
Britta S
BS
D000293:Adolescent; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000379:methods; D017214:Laryngeal Masks / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D011312:Pressure; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult