The size 11/2 ProSeal™ laryngeal mask airway in infants:: A randomized, crossover investigation with the Classic™ laryngeal mask airway

Many problems with the Classic (TM) laryngeal mask airway (CLMA) in infants are believed to be related to its inadequate cuff design. One of the main limitations of the CLMA is that the resulting low-pressure seal can be inadequate for positive pressure ventilation (PPV). The ProSeal (TM) LMA (PLMA), a new laryngeal mask airway with a modified cuff, has been shown to form a more effective seal than the CLMA in children. The first infant size PLMA, size 11/2, became available recently. We studied 30 anesthetized, nonparalyzed infants aged 1.5 mo (2-30 mo) and weighing 9 kg (5-12 kg). The CLMA and PLMA were inserted in random order into each patient. Airway leak pressure and maximum tidal volume were measured. Ease of insertion, quality of initial airway, and fiberoptic position were also determined. Gastric tube placement was assessed for the PLMA. The mean airway leak pressure in neutral head position (26.7 versus 18.9 cm H2O), maximum flexion (35.6 versus 28.2 cm H2O), and the mean maximum tidal volume (312 versus 260 mL) were significantly higher for the PLMA (P < 0.01.). Air entered the stomach in eight patients with the CLMA but did not with the PLMA. Gastric tube placement was possible in all but one patient. In three patients, the use of the PLMA led to some degree of clinically relevant compression of the larynx. The size 11/2 PLMA seems to be a more suitable device for airway maintenance in infants than the same size CLMA. The ability to insert a gastric tube at the same time, and a significantly higher airway leak pressure than with the CLMA, may have important implications for its use for PPV in infants.