Date of Award
5-30-2016
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Master of Medicine (MMed)
First Supervisor/Advisor
Dr. David Nekyon
Second Supervisor/Advisor
Prof. Vitalis Mung’ayi
Third Supervisor/Advisor
Dr. Ednah Kemunto Gisore
Department
Anaesthesiology (East Africa)
Abstract
Background: Laryngeal mask airways (LMAs) are widely used in anaesthesia and are considered to be generally safe. Postoperative sore throat (POST) is a frequent complication following LMA use and can be very distressing to patients. The use of an LMA cuff pressure of between 30 and 32cm of H20 in alleviating postoperative sore throat has not been investigated.
Primary objective: To compare the occurrence of POST between the intervention group in which LMA cuff pressures will be adjusted to 30-32cm of H20 and the control group in which only monitoring of LMA cuff pressures will be done.
Secondary Objectives: To compare the severity of POST between the two study groups.
To compare the LMA cuff pressures between the two study groups.
Study Design: A single blind randomized control trial
Methods: Eighty consenting adult patients scheduled to receive general anaesthesia with use of an LMA were randomized into two groups of 40 patients each. In the intervention group LMA airway cuff pressures were adjusted by the principal investigator to a pressure of 30 to 32cm of H20.The control group only had LMA cuff pressures monitored throughout the surgery. All patients were interviewed postoperatively at two, six and twelve hours. Data of their baseline characteristics, occurrence and severity of POST was collected. If POST was present; a Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) was used to assess the severity. Cuff pressures between the two study groups were also determined.
Results: The baseline demographic characteristics of the participants were similar. The use of manometry to limit LMA AMBU® AuraOnce™ intracuff pressure to 30-32cm H2O reduced POST in surgical patient’s by 62% at 2 hours and 6 hours (Risk Ratio 0.38 95%CI 0.21-0.69)in the intervention group. The median POST pain score in the intervention group was significantly lower than the control group with scores of 0 at 2, 6 and 12 hours post operatively. Routine practice of LMA cuff inflation by anesthesiologists is variable, and the intracuff pressures in the control group were higher than in the intervention group. (P<0.001)
Conclusion: Among this population, reduction of LMA AMBU® AuraOnce™ intracuff pressure to 30-32cm H2O reduces the occurrence and severity of POST. The LMA cuff pressures should be measured routinely using manometry and reducing the intracuff pressures to 30-32 cm of H20 recommended as best practice.
Recommended Citation
Waruingi, D. N. (2016). Effect of Laryngeal Mask Airway Manometry on Post-operative Sore Throat in spontaneously breathing Adult Patients presenting for Surgery at Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi (Unpublished master's dissertation). Aga Khan University, East Africa.