Acomparison of the cuffed oropharyngeal airway [COPA] with the laryngeal mask airway [LMA] during manually controlled positive pressure ventilation for short surgical procedures

To examine cuffed oropharyngeal airway [COPA] during manually positive ventilation and to compare its reliability and efficacy with laryngeal mask airway [LMA] as regard to placement success rate, airway interventional requirements, airway stability in different head/neck positions, haemodynamic response and intra- and post-operative adverse events/symptoms. Sixty Patients were randomly assigned to be manually ventilated with COPA [n=30] or a LMA [n=30]. Our results showed that LMA group had more frequent success rate than COPA and shorter time to achieve an effective airway. As regard frequency and type of airway interventions it was significantly higher in COPA group. For haemodynamic changes after insertion of the device there was no significant difference between the two groups. The incidence of intraoperative adverse events was similar. As regard to post-operative adverse events incidence of sore throat was higher in LMA group while incidence of jaw and neck pain was greater in COPA group and blood was detected more often on the LMA group on removal. Conclusions: Although the COPA and LMA are equivalent devices in terms of physiologic alterations and overall clinical problems associated with their use. The use of LMA is associated with higher first time insertions rate and fewer manipulations suggesting that it is easier to use. The COPA is associated with less blood on the device and fewer sore throat, suggesting it may cause less pharyngeal trauma. Ultimately, both devices are similar in establishing a safe and effective airway for manually ventilated patients for short surgical procedures, but the COPA is more cheaper than LMA