Comparison of early postoperative recovery between laryngeal mask airway and endotracheal tube in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A randomized trial

BACKGROUND: Laryngeal mask airway (LMA) insertion provokes fewer stress responses than endotracheal intubation. This study aimed to evaluate the LMA Protector for assessing improvements in intraoperative hemodynamic stability and to reduce postoperative discomfort compared with endotracheal intubation in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: Fifty-six patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy while under sevoflurane-based general anesthesia were randomly allocated to airway management using LMA (LMA group) or endotracheal tube (ETT group). Heart rate, blood pressure, and peak airway pressure were recorded before and after carboperitoneum. Postoperative pain and analgesic requirements were assessed, in addition to nausea, hoarseness, dysphonia, and sore throat during the first 1 hour postoperatively and until postoperative day 1. RESULTS: All patients underwent successful LMA or ETT placement within 2 attempts. There was no difference in highest mean (SD) peak airway pressure during carboperitoneum between the LMA and ETT groups (17.7 [2.8] mm Hg vs 19.1 [3.8] mm Hg, P = .159, respectively). The incidence of high systolic blood pressure and bradycardia was higher in the LMA group. The highest pain scores 1 hour postoperatively and on postoperative day 1 were lower in the LMA group than in the ETT group (3.9 [2.0] vs 5.4 [2.3], P = .017 and 5.6 [1.9] vs 6.7 [1.7], P = .042, respectively); requirements for analgesics were similar in the 2 groups. The incidence of nausea was lower in the LMA group than in the ETT group until postoperative day 1 (4/28 [14%] vs 12/28 [43%], P = .031, respectively). CONCLUSION: The LMA Protector was an effective ventilator device associated with fewer intraoperative hemodynamic stress responses and improved the quality of early recovery after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.