• Vanlal Darlong, Ghansham Biyani, Ravindra Pandey, Dalim K Baidya, and Chandralekha and Jyotsna Punj.
• Paediatr Anaesth. 2014 Oct 1;24(10):1066-71.

BackgroundFlexible laryngeal mask airway is a commonly used supraglotic airway device (SAD) during ophthalmic surgeries. Air-Q intubating laryngeal airway (ILA) is a newer SAD used as primary airway device and as a conduit for intubation as well. Available literature shows that air-Q performs equal or better than other SADs in children and adults. However, limited data is available using air-Q in infants and small children <10 kg. So, our aim was ‘To compare the performance and efficacy of these two devices in infants and small children’. Our hypothesis is that air-Q due to its improved cuff design will yield better airway seal pressures and improved laryngeal alignment as compared to flexible laryngeal mask airway.MethodsASA I–II infants and children weighing <10 kg, undergoing cataract or glaucoma surgery, were randomly divided into two groups of 25 each. After induction of anesthesia and muscle relaxation, we measured oropharyngeal leak pressure (OLP), fibre-optic (FO) view of glottis, first insertion success rate, time to insert, and any other complications.ResultsThere was no difference between the groups in demographic data, first insertion success rate, time to insert, and postoperative complications. Air-Q provided significantly more OLP [21.1 ± 6.4 cmH2O vs 17.4 ± 4.1 cmH2O, P = 0.02] and better FO view of glottis (good view 84% vs 48%, P = 0.0016) as compared to flexible laryngeal mask airway.ConclusionWe conclude that air-Q is superior to flexible laryngeal mask airway in providing higher airway sealing pressures and better FO grade of laryngeal view in infants and children.

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