Effect of neuromuscular block on airway sealing pressure of laryngeal mask airway i-gel in patients undergoing general anesthesia

Objective To evaluate the effect of neuromuscular block on the airway sealing pressure of laryngeal mask airway (LMA) i-gel in patients undergoing general anesthesia.Methods Sixty patients scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia with LMA i-gel were randomly allocated to one of three groups (n =20 each):control group (group C),rocuronium 0.3 mg/kg group (group R1) and rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg group (group R2).Anesthesia was induced with target-controlled infusion of propofol and remifentanil.The target plasma concentration of propofol was 3.5 μg/ml,and the target effect-site concentration of remifentanil was 3.0 ng/ml.When the patients lost consciousness and after the target plasma and effect-site concentrations were balanced,LMA i-gel was inserted to perform mechanical ventilation.After insertion of LMA i-gel,rocuronium 0.3 and 0.6 mg/kg were injected in R1 and R2 groups,respectively.The airway sealing pressure of LMA i-gel was detected immediately after insertion of LMA i-gel and at 1 min after administration of rocuronium.Results There was no significant difference in the airway sealing pressure of LMA i-gel between groups and within groups(P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Neuromuscular block has no significant effect on the airway sealing pressure of LMA i-gel in patients undergoing general anesthesia. Key words: Neuromuscular blockade;  Laryngeal masks;  Airway seal pressure