Comparison of blind tracheal intubation through the intubating laryngeal mask airway (LMA Fastrach™) and the Air-Q™

Abstract

This study assessed two disposable devices, the LMA Fastrach™ and the newly developed supraglottic airway device, the Air-Q™, as a conduit for tracheal intubation in 154 healthy adults undergoing elective surgery. Using a non-inferiority approach, the primary outcome measure was successful tracheal intubation within two blind insertion attempts. Successful blind intubation after two attempts was achieved in 75/76 (99%) of the patients in the LMA Fastrach group vs 60/78 (77%) in the Air-Q group (95% CI for the difference 12-32%, p<0.0001). Fibreoptic intubation was used to assist the third attempt. The rate of successful intubation after three attempts was 100% in the LMA Fastrach group and 95% in Air-Q group. The single-use LMA Fastrach appears superior compared with the Air-Q, as a conduit to facilitate blind tracheal intubation.