The ProSeal™ Laryngeal Mask Airway Size Selection in Male and Female Patients in an Asian Population

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate if size 5 compared with size 4 ProSeal laryngeal mask airway (PLMA) in Asian men and size 4 compared with size 3 ProSeal laryngeal mask airway (PLMA) in Asian women, would give a better glottic seal. We conducted a randomized crossover study involving 30 male and 30 female patients of Asian origin. Size 4 and size 5 PLMA were studied in men and size 3 and size 4 PLMA were studied in women. The patients were anaesthetized and paralysed and the PLMA was inserted with the introducer. The oropharyngeal leak pressure (OLP), ease of insertion, anatomical position, mucosal injury, visibility of cuff in the mouth and volume of air required to achieve an intracuff pressure of 60 cmH2O were studied. In male patients, oropharyngeal leak pressure was higher when size 5 PLMA was used (P < 0.001) and there was a higher incidence of mucosal injury (P = 0.025). For female patients, oropharyngeal leak pressure was higher with size 4 PLMA (P = 0.036) while the number of insertion attempts, anatomical position and mucosal injury were similar. The cuff was not visible in the oral cavity in any cases. The mean volume of air required to achieve an intracuff pressure of 60 cmH2O was less than the maximum recommended by the manufacturers. The size 5 PLMA in Asian men and size 4 PLMA in Asian women resulted in a more effective glottic seal. The use of size 5 PLMA in Asian men led to increased mucosal injury.