Swann D G, Spens H, Edwards S A, Chestnut R J
Anaesthetic Department, St John's Hospital, Howden, Livingston, West Lothian.
Anaesthesia. 1993 May;48(5):431-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2044.1993.tb07021.x.
In a single-blind, randomised, controlled study, we compared two anaesthetic techniques in 60 patients undergoing gynaecological laparoscopy. In the first group, ventilation was controlled, after paralysis and tracheal intubation. In the second group, a laryngeal mask airway was inserted and spontaneous or assisted ventilation allowed. There were no clinically significant differences in the intra-operative conditions of the two groups, although the procedure was quicker in the second group. The only significant difference in morbidity was a greater incidence of nausea and vomiting in the second group in the first 4 h after operation. We conclude that use of the laryngeal mask airway is an acceptable technique for elective gynaecological laparoscopy, in patients who are at low risk of regurgitation.
