A comparison of the classic and a modified laryngeal mask airway (OPLAC™) in adult patients.

BACKGROUND: A modified disposable laryngeal mask airway (LMA) (Oro-Pharyngo-Laryngeal Airway Cap, OPLAC™) was developed in our department. In this study, we compared the performance of the LMA Classic™ with that of the OPLAC. METHODS: This was a randomized, single-blinded, crossover study involving 60 paralyzed, anesthetized adult patients. Both devices were inserted into each patient in different sequences after anesthesia had been induced. In 30 patients, the LMA was inserted first and in 30 patients, the OPLAC was inserted first. The success rate, insertion time, fiberoptic view, peak airway pressure, sealing pressure, incidence of gastric insufflations, trace of blood on the device, and incidence of postoperative sore throat were evaluated. RESULTS: The success rate of placement on the first attempt was high for both devices. The insertion time was significantly shorter and better engagement was noted on fiberoptic view with the OPLAC than with the LMA. The sealing pressure was significantly higher and the incidence of gastric insufflations was significantly lower with the OPLAC. The overall incidence of sore throat was 13.33%. CONCLUSIONS: Both devices have comparable airflow resistance and are easy to insert. The OPLAC requires less insertion time, has less variation on insertion time, fits better into the laryngopharynx, is less likely to cause gastric insufflations, and has a higher sealing pressure.

Sudden transient paraplegia shortly after preoperative thoracic epidural catheterization--a case report.

We report a case of sudden onset of paraplegia shortly after thoracic epidural catheterization for postoperative analgesia and discuss the possible causes of this event. A 38-year-old woman was scheduled to receive right lobectomy of liver because of hepatocellular carcinoma. Thoracic epidural catheterization for postoperative analgesia was performed before the induction of anesthesia. After skin disinfection and local anesthetic skin infiltration with lidocaine, epidural catheterization through T(10-11) interspace was performed. Dural puncture without any neurological symptoms was noticed in the attempt and the epidural space was successfully identified through T(9-10) interspace in the second attempt. However, acute motor weakness and sensory impairment were met as the epidural catheter was being threaded into the epidural space. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed no abnormal findings and the neurological deficits resolved spontaneously within 2h without any sequela. Finally, it was supposed that the transient neurological deficits were resultant from accidental subarachnoid injection of the local anesthetics used for skin infiltration. Preoperative image studies of the spine revealed a relatively short skin-to-dura distance either from median or paramedian approach, which might be the cause of the inadvertent intrathecal injection of local anesthetic during skin infiltration.