Laryngeal Mask Airway Versus Tracheal Intubation for Laparoscopic Hernia Repair in Children: Analysis of Respiratory Complications

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the perioperative and postoperative respiratory complications between laryngeal mask (LM) airway and tracheal intubation (TI) in children undergoing percutaneous internal ring suturing (PIRS) for inguinal hernia. Patients and Methods: From October 2015 to February 2019, 135 pediatric patients (97 males and 38 females) with median age of 4 years, who underwent PIRS for inguinal hernia, were included in study. Patients were divided in two groups. In group I (n = 94) LM airway was used, and in group II (n = 41) TI was performed. Demographic data, surgical and anesthesia times, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, muscle relaxation, level of pneumoperitoneum, and complications of anesthesia were compared between the groups. Results: No significant differences among compared groups regarding age (P = .435), sex (P = .306), body mass index (P = .548), ASA classification (P = .506), level of pneumoperitoneum (P = .968), and duration of surgery (P = .968) were found. Duration of anesthesia was significantly shorter when LM was used compared to TI (25 minutes versus 36 minutes; P < .00001). During recovery from anesthesia, the incidences of desaturation (n = 1 versus n = 5; P = .003), laryngospasm (n = 2 versus n = 5; P = .015), and cough (n = 0 versus n = 4; P = .002) were significantly lower when LM airway was used for securing of the airway. Postoperative incidences of sore throat (P = .543), bronchospasm (P = .128), and aspiration (P = .128) did not differ between LM and TI. Conclusions: The use of LM in pediatric anesthesia results in a decrease in a number of common complications and significantly shortened patient anesthesia time. It is therefore a valuable device for the management of the pediatric airway for laparoscopic hernia repair in children.