Study objective: To determine the effect of head position on success of tracheal intubation through a Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA) using a gum elastic bougie.
Design: Randomized, controlled study.
Setting: Anesthesia and operating rooms of the University Hospital, Nottingham, UK.
Patients: 20 patients scheduled to undergo routine elective surgery requiring the use of an LMA for anesthesia.
Interventions: Blind placement of a gum elastic bougie through an LMA in two head positions.
Measurements and main results: Final position of the gum elastic bougie after removal of the LMA as determined by fiberoptic laryngoscopy. The gum elastic bougie was correctly sited in the trachea in the classical intubating position in 4/20 (20%) and in the neutral position in 0/20 (0%). There was no difference in the success of this technique between the two head positions.
Conclusions: This technique cannot be recommended as an alternative to direct laryngoscopy following a failed intubation.