Use of the CTrach Laryngeal Mask Airway in adult patients: a retrospective review of 126 cases

Study Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the CTrach Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA) when used electively. Design: Retrospective analysis. Setting: Operating room of an academic hospital. Measurements: Data from 126 patients who were electively intubated with the CTrach LMA over a 16-month period were reviewed. Each patient's weight, height, ASA physical status classification, Mallampati score, thyromental distance, and cervical spine range of motion were recorded. Main Results: Successful ventilation was achieved in 100% of patients, while successful intubation was achieved in 89.7% of patients. The most common reason for failure to intubate was poor airway visualization and the inability to appropriately position the device anterior to the vocal cords. Conclusions: The major advantage of the CTrach LMA is that it is the only device that allows airway visualization during patient ventilation; however, it does not have 100% success with intubation. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.