Comparison of the laryngeal mask airway Supreme and laryngeal mask airway Classic in adults

Background and objective The laryngeal mask airway (LMA) is an important airway device that was developed in 1983. From the first classic LMA models up to now, LMA models have been developed that are easily and quickly inserted, provide ventilation at higher airway pressures, have lower cuff pressure, a reduced risk of gastric aspiration and cause fewer stress responses. We aimed to compare the LMA Classic with the LMA Supreme in assessing the success rate and time for insertion, number of attempts and leak pressure. Methods A total of 70 patients of ASA group I or II were included in our study. Regarding the airway device used during surgery, the patients were randomly assigned into two groups: the LMA Supreme group and the LMA Classic group. In order to provide common conditions for inserting the laryngeal mask, insertion was made while the bispectral index was between 50 and 60 and T1 was 0. The success rate of inserting the LMA, the duration of insertion, the number of attempts, the insertion complications, ventilation parameters, haemodynamic parameters and postoperative adverse effects were recorded for each group. Results In the LMA Classic group and the LMA Supreme group, the LMA was successfully inserted in 27 (88.5%) and 34 (97%) patients, respectively. The duration of insertion in the LMA Supreme group was shorter and the cuff pressure was lower than that in the LMA Classic group (P<0.001). Conclusion The LMA Supreme is superior to the LMA Classic because of its ease of insertion with low cuff pressure and high oropharyngeal leakage pressure. Eur J Anaesthesiol 26: 1010-1014 (C) 2009 European Society of Anaesthesiology.