LMA Extubation in Pediatric Patients: A Comparison of Inflated and Deflated LMA Cuff Methods

Background and Objectives: Extubating LMA (Laryngeal mask airway) can be performed either with inflated or deflated cuff. In this study the effects and complications of these two methods were compared in children. Materials and Methods: In a clinical trial, 180 patients under 11 years old with ASA I/II who were scheduled for elective surgeries for less than one hour with no need for muscle relaxation were randomly divided into two groups. In group D, LMAs were extubated after oral cavity suctioning and cuff deflation. In group I, LMAs were extubated without suctioning and deflating the cuffs. Results: In group I after removing the LMA, mean heart rate significantly increased, mean diastolic blood pressure significantly increased, and mean arterial blood saturation significantly decreased. In Group D, none of these changes occurred. Despite a higher incidence of complications in the group I, difference was not significant. Conclusions: LMA removal with inflated cuff increases hemodynamic changes and decreases the arterial blood saturation. Hence, when hemodynamic stability and saturation of arterial blood is particularly important for us, extubating the LMA with deflated cuff is recommended.