The air-Q® intubating laryngeal airway vs the LMA-ProSeal™: a prospective, randomised trial of airway seal pressure

We performed a prospective, open-label, randomised controlled trial comparing the air-Q (R) against the LMA-ProSeal (TM) in adults undergoing general anaesthesia. One hundred subjects (American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status 1-3) presenting for elective, outpatient surgery were randomly assigned to 52 air-Q (R) and 48 ProSeal devices. The primary study endpoint was airway seal pressure. Oropharyngolaryngeal morbidity was assessed secondarily. Mean (SD) airway seal pressures for the air-Q (R) and ProSeal were 30 (7) cmH(2)O and 30 (6) cmH(2)O, respectively (p = 0.47). Postoperative sore throat was more common with the air-Q (R) (46% vs 38%, p = 0.03) as was pain on swallowing (30% vs 5%, p = 0.01). In conclusion, the air-Q (R) performs well as a primary airway during the maintenance of general anaesthesia with an airway seal pressure similar to that of the ProSeal, but with a higher incidence of postoperative oropharyngolaryngeal complaints.