The Use of Laryngeal Mask Airway Versus Endotracheal Intubation in Pediatric Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Space:StayCurrentMDAuthor: Emily L. Weisberg, Benjamin J. Pieters, Meredith S. Elman, Cory J. Nonnemacher, Janelle Noel-MacDonnell, Tolulope A. Oyetunji
Published: 2025-09-23
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Emily L. Weisberg, Benjamin J. Pieters, Meredith S. Elman, Cory J. Nonnemacher, Janelle Noel-MacDonnell, Tolulope A. Oyetunji
Emily L. Weisberg, Benjamin J. Pieters, Meredith S. Elman, Cory J. Nonnemacher, Janelle Noel-MacDonnell, Tolulope A. Oyetunji
Background
A laryngeal mask airway (LMA) is routinely used for many types of pediatric surgical procedures and as a rescue airway device. Laparoscopic procedures in pediatric surgery are common and are becoming increasingly widespread. In laparoscopic surgery, the traditional airway approach is the use of endotracheal intubation, while the use of LMA in laparoscopic surgery is not well studied.
Aims
To evaluate the effectiveness of general anesthesia with LMA versus traditional endotracheal tube (ETT) for pediatric patients aged 12 months to 8 years old undergoing laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.
Methods
In a single institution prospective randomized trial, pediatric patients undergoing laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair were recruited from April 2023 to May 2024. Patients were randomized to general anesthesia with either an LMA or ETT. The primary endpoint was oxygen saturation in percent saturation (SpO2) measured at three standardized timepoints. Secondary endpoints were end tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO2) levels and peak airway pressure (PAP) measurements at the same three standardized timepoints as well as the occurrence of any episodes of laryngospasm or desaturation documented in each group.
Results
Fifty patients underwent laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery with general anesthesia, twenty-five patients with LMA and twenty-five with ETT. There was no clinically significant difference in oxygenation between study groups. Additionally, there was no statistically significant difference between study arms in EtCO2 levels. Patients with ETT had higher peak airway pressures compared to patients with LMA at all three time points. There was one incident of desaturation in each study arm and no episodes of laryngospasm.
Conclusions
The use of LMA in short laparoscopic surgery is a safe and effective alternative to ETT in appropriate pediatric patients.
Intended audience: Healthcare professionals and clinicians.
Speaker: Emily L. Weisberg, Benjamin J. Pieters, Meredith S. Elman, Cory J. Nonnemacher, Janelle Noel-MacDonnell, Tolulope A. Oyetunji
When kids need laparoscopic surgery, do they really need a breathing tube or could a less invasive airway work just as well? I'm Lizzy Lee from Suits 90 Children's and this is an article you should know about. In laparoscopic surgery, the traditional airway approach is using endotracheal intubation, but are laryngeal mask airways or LMAs just as effective in safe? Researchers put it to the test in a randomized trial of 50 kids having laparoscopic kerning or repair. The results? No difference in oxygen saturation or anti-alcarbon dioxide levels between the two groups. In terms of complications, there was only one desaturation in each group. The takeaway is that for certain laparoscopic surgeries, in children, an LMA might be just as safe as a traditional endotracheal tube. Let us know what you think in the comments below and stay tuned for more articles that you should know about.
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