INTRODUCTIONToday, the LMA has a clearly established role as an airway device in elective setting when tracheal intubation is difficult or does not required like day care anaesthesia. It is a simple, well tolerated, safe, reusable, cost effective method for airway management. It ensures a better control of airway than the facemask, laryngoscopy is avoided and haemodynamic changes are minimized during insertion.1 It avoids the disadvantages of endotracheal tube like pressure response during intubation and sore throat, croup, hoarseness postoperatively. LMA has also been included in ASA difficult airway algorithm. Satisfactory insertion of the Laryngeal Mask Airway requires sufficient depth of anaesthesia to provide loss of consciousness, jaw relaxation, absence of upper airway reflexes rapidly without cardio respiratory compromise.
2Propofol with or without opioid is the induction agent of choice for laryngeal mask airway insertion having rapid induction and upper airway reflexes depressing properties but pain on injection and cardiovascular depression are the major limiting factors. Sevoflurane, a halogenated, volatile anaesthetic agent with pleasant odour and low blood: gas solubility allows a fast, smooth induction and ABSTRACT Background: Laryngeal mask airway (LMA) is an accepted airway device for spontaneous and modest positive pressure ventilation. Propofol is widely used Induction agent. Sevoflurane is a newer pleasant volatile anaesthetic with rapid induction and recovery with stable haemodynamics. The aim of this study was to compare propofol and sevoflurane with respect of haemodynamic changes and conditions for LMA insertion. Methods: This study was done on 60 female patients of ASA I, II grade between 20-60 years of age. Patients were randomized into two groups (n=30). All patients were preoxygenated and received inj. fentanyl 2µg/kg. Induction agent was propofol 2.5mg/kg (group P) or sevoflurane 8% with vital capacity breath (group S). Loss of eyelash reflex was the end point of induction. Induction time, conditions for LMA insertion, number of attempts, time of successful LMA insertion and haemodynamic parameters were noted. Results: time for induction and LMA insertion was significantly faster in propofol group than group S (p<0.05). Successful LMA insertion in first attempt was 100% in group P with excellent conditions (score 18) while in group S, it was 86.7% with excellent to satisfactory conditions (score 16-17). A significant fall in mean arterial pressure (p<0.05) was noted in group P while pulse rates were comparable in both groups. Conclusions: Sevoflurane vital capacity breath inhalational induction can be used as an effective alternative to propofol though it requires greater time for LMA insertion but with better haemodynamic stability.