The Effect of Laryngeal Mask Cuff Pressure on Postoperative Sore Throat Incidence

Impact of laryngeal mask airway cuff pressures on the incidence of sore throat in children

“…High LMA cuff pressures will exert a variable pressure on the pharyngeal structures (12,13). However, there is little doubt that there is an increased incidence in all complications in a setting of high cuff pressures (6–8). Although, the manufacturer guidelines for the LMA have set a maximum recommended inflation volume, the use of the recommended maximum volume is associated with a high risk of hyperinflation and an increased leakage around the LMA cuff (4,5,14).…”

“…High cuff pressures in LMAs may result in a reduction or complete occlusion of mucosal perfusion due to the pressure exerted on periglottic and supraglottic structures. Studies in adults have shown that higher pressures in LMA cuffs are generally associated with increased morbidity such as sore throat, hoarseness and nerve palsies (6–9). Since mucosal damage and subsequent swelling may have a greater impact on the relatively smaller pediatric airway, the likelihood of airway morbidity related to hyperinflation of LMA cuffs and consequent mucosal hypoperfusion is presumably higher in children.…”

Laryngeal mask airways – to inflate or to deflate after insertion?

“…The consequences of this might be even more pronounced in young children because mucosal damage and subsequent swelling may have a greater impact on the relatively small airways. Hyperinflation of the LMA cuff has been shown to increase airway morbidity (e.g., sore throat) (2–5) and to decrease the seal around the LMA cuff therefore potentially impairing ventilation (6). Often clinical endpoints are used to guide inflation and to determine optimal positioning and adequacy of the cuff seal (7).…”

Ist die Kehlkopfmaske ein minimal invasives Instrument zur Sicherung der Atemwege? Ergänzende Bemerkungen zum Beitrag „Schäden und Gefahren durch Einsatz der Kehlkopfmaske” von V. Hempel Anaesthesist (1999) 48:399–402

“…Die Bedeutung des Cuffdrucks für das Auftreten postoperativer Halsbeschwerden nach Anwendung der Kehlkopfmaske wird kontrovers diskutiert [23,24]. In keinem der Fallberichte über schwerwiegende postoperative Beschwerden (Tabelle 1) wurde der Cuffdruck der Kehlkopfmaske dokumentiert.…”