Airway Management with the Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA) in Emergency Medical Services

Abstract

Background: Airway management is an important aspect of care in emergency medical services (EMS) used to prevent obstruction of the respiratory track and inadequate oxygenation. The laryngeal mask airway (LMA) is an easy-to-use supraglottic airway device developed in 1988 that has a high success rate in both adults and children. However, there have yet been no studies regarding LMA use in EMS in Thailand. Objective: To determine the success rate of LMA in EMS and factors associated with successful LMA insertion. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study consisting of Srinagarind Hospital EMS patients over 18 years of age who underwent LMA airway management between March 2016 and March 2020. Data were collected from the Srinagarind Hospital EMS operation database and hospital information database system. Results: A total of 154 patients were enrolled with a mean age of 43.1+8.5 years, 89 (57.8%) of whom were male. Non trauma patients accounted for 72.7% of all cases. The average oxygen saturation before and after LMA use were 71.4+12.3% and 94.4+3.2%, respectively (p = 0.022). Students in their first and third year of residency training were able to successfully perform LMA airway management on the first attempt in 83.3% and 98.4% of cases, respectively (p = 0.025). Conclusion: Airway management using the LMA had a high success rate on the first attempt, required less time for insertion than other comparable devices, and resulted in a high level of oxygen saturation. Keywords: Laryngeal mask airway, Emergency medical services, Airway management, Internship and residency