Laryngeal mask airway placement in paediatric patients: a comparison of two general anaesthetic techniques

Guidelines for paediatric practice suggest that the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) is best inserted after a period of inhalational anaesthesia. This study compared the success rate and incidence of complications for LMA placement using two different techniques of general anaesthesia. Sixty ASA I or II patients between the ages of 19 months and 14 years of age were studied. In Group 1, anaesthesia was induced with propofol, 4 mg·kg⁻¹, and placement of the LMA was then attempted. In Group 2, anaesthesia was similarly induced with propofol, but the lungs were then ventilated with halothane in oxygen for placement of the LMA. Although limb movement occurred more often in Group 1 ( P < 0.001), there were no differences between the groups for other complications, nor for success in placing the LMA. We conclude that in paediatric patients, the LMA may be successfully placed using propofol, 4 mg·kg⁻¹ alone.