A study to evaluate and compare intubating laryngeal mask airway and air-Q intubating laryngeal airway for intubation using Parker Flex Tip tube

• Published in: Indian Journal of Anaesthesia
• Main Authors: Teena Bansal, Suresh Singhal, Himani Mittal
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2020-01-01
• Subjects: air-q intubating laryngeal airway; intubating laryngeal mask airway; intubation; parker flex tip tube
• Online Access: http://www.ijaweb.org/article.asp?issn=0019-5049;year=2020;volume=64;issue=2;spage=97;epage=102;aulast=Bansal
• ISSN: 0019-5049; 0976-2817

Background and Aims: Though manufacturer recommendations suggest use of specific endotracheal tube (ETT) with intubating laryngeal mask airway (ILMA) and air-Q intubating laryngeal airway (ILA), Parker Flex Tip tube introduced by J D Parker has certain advantages and is also cost-effective. This study was conducted to compare ILMA and air-Q ILA for intubation using Parker Flex Tip tube. Methods: Patients of either gender, aged 18–60 years, scheduled for elective surgery requiring endotracheal intubation were included in this study. In group A (n = 55), blind intubation was done through ILMA using Parker Flex Tip tube and in group B (n = 55), blind intubation was done through air-Q ILA using Parker Flex Tip tube. Success rate, number of attempts, ease and a total time of intubation were recorded. Results: Intubation was successful in 54 patients (98.2%) in group A and in 46 patients (85.2%) in group B (P = 0.026). Intubation was significantly easy with ILMA (P = 0.048). Manoeuvres for intubation were used in 10.9% patients in group A while it was used in 27.8% patients in group B. Significantly, more manoeuvres were required with air-Q ILA for intubation (P = 0.026). Number of attempts for ETT placement (P = 0.092), insertion time of ETT (TT) (P = 0.472) and total time taken for successful intubation (P = 0.526) were comparable in both the groups. Conclusion: The intubating laryngeal mask airway was superior to the air-Q intubating laryngeal airway for blind intubation using Parker Flex Tip tube.