Efficacy of the ProSeal laryngeal mask airway during manual in-line stabilisation of the neck

The laryngeal mask airway has a potential role during cardiopulmonary resuscitation, but its placement becomes more difficult during manual in-line stabilisation of the neck, and the device cannot reliably prevent pulmonary aspiration. The ProSeal laryngeal mask airway has a theoretical advantage of reducing aspiration because of its drainage tube, but its ease of placement during stabilisation of the neck is unknown. We studied 20 patients to compare ease of placement and the sealing effect between the standard and ProSeal laryngeal mask airways. In a randomised cross-over fashion, after induction of anaesthesia and neuromuscular blockade, the standard and ProSeal laryngeal mask airways were placed in turn. Placement was significantly easier for the ProSeal laryngeal mask airway (successful at the first attempt in 16 patients and at the second attempt in the remaining four patients) than for the laryngeal mask airway (successful at the first attempt in 12 of 20 patients and at the second attempt in three patients, and failed (> two attempts) in the remaining five patients; p = 0.04). The airway pressure at which gas leaked around the device was greater for the ProSeal than the laryngeal mask airway (mean difference 5.8 cmH2O; 95% CI 2.9-8.7 cmH2O; p = 0.0008).