Comparision of intubation with polyvinyl chloride tracheal tubes and silicone wire reinforced tubes through LMA CTrachtm

LMA CTrach^TM enables ventilation and intubation with the same device while visualising the process of intubation. The manufacturer produced silicone wire reinforced tubes are recommended for intubation through this device.

Objective: The intubation success rates with polyvinyl chloride tube and silicone wire reinforced tubes while intubating through LMA CTrach^TM was compared.

Study design: One hundred patients of ASA physical status 1 and 2 who were undergoing procedures under general anaesthesia were randomly allocated into two groups. In one group silicone wire reinforced tubes and in the other group polyvinyl chloride tracheal tubes were used for intubation through LMA CTrach^TM. The success, number of attempts, time taken and the ease of intubation along with any incidence of airway trauma were recorded.

Results: The overall success rate of intubation was 100% in both groups. The first attempt success of intubation was significantly higher in silicone tube group (98%) as compared to polyvinyl chloride tube group (84%). The ease of intubation was significantly higher in silicone tube group (98% versus 80%). The time taken for intubation was longer with polyvinyl chloride tube group by a mean of 10 seconds. The incidence of airway trauma was comparable in both groups.

Conclusion: Polyvinyl chloride tracheal tubes can be used instead of the silicone wire reinforced tubes for intubating through LMA CTrach^TM with a similar overall success rate and incidence of airway trauma. However, the first attempt success rate of intubation and ease of intubation were higher with the silicone wire reinforced tube.