COMPARISON OF INTUBATION BY LMA CTRACH VS INTUBATION BY DIRECT LARYNGOSCOPY IN PATIENT WITH NORMAL AIRWAY

Background: The LMA CTrachTM system is a new device for airway management and endotracheal intubation under direct vision in both anticipated and unexpected difficult intubation situations. This randomized controlled study was undertaken to compare the hemodynamic effects, ease of intubation, time taken for intubation, upper airway morbidity following tracheal intubation through LMA CTrachTM with that of conventional Macintosh laryngoscope. Material and Method: Eighty adult patients of age 16-72 years and ASA I and ASA II grade scheduled to undergo elective surgery under GA were randomly allocated to one of the group i.e. Group A: LMA CTrachTM (Laryngeal Mask Airway CTrachTM) and Group B: DLS (Direct Laryngoscopy). The patients were intubated orally using either equipment after induction of general anaesthesia. Results: In both the groups, there was a significant increase in heart rate and blood pressure from base line values after tracheal intubation. The rise in heart rate and SBP was significantly more in group B as compared to group A. The success rate of intubation were comparablein both the groups. The time required for successful intubation was significantly more in group A as compared to group B. The upper airway injury was more in group A than in group B. Conclusion: LMA CTrachTM can be used for tracheal intubation with equal success rate as of DLS in patient with normal airway though it is more time consuming. It offers advantage over DLS for minimizing hemodynamic response to tracheal intubation in normotensive patients. Keywords: LMA CTrachTM, endotracheal intubation, hemodynamic response, upper airway morbidity.