Comparison of Fiberoptic-Guided Tracheal Intubation Through Intubating Laryngeal Mask Airway (ILMA) FastrachTM and Ambu® Aura-i™: A Randomized Clinical Study

Background and aim The primary aim of the study was to compare the intubation characteristics and effectiveness of intubating laryngeal mask airway (ILMA) and Ambu® Aura-i™ as a conduit for facilitating fiberoptic-guided intubation. Methods Eighty patients were enrolled in the randomized-controlled hospital-based study. After inducing general anesthesia, an appropriately sized ILMA (group 1)/Ambu Aura-I (group 2) was placed. Fiberoptic assessment of the glottic view was done followed by fiberoptic-guided tracheal intubation. The time taken for the insertion of ILMA/Ambu Aura-i, glottic view grading, time taken for fiberoptic-guided intubation, ease of intubation, time taken for the removal of ILMA/Ambu Aura-i were recorded. Data analysis was done using the two-tailed independent t-test, paired t-test, and Fisher’s exact probability test. Result Anthropometric and airway parameters were similar in both groups. The success rate of the insertion of both devices was 100%. In group 1, the mean time taken for the insertion was 20.53±1.91, and it was 13.98±2.4 in group 2 (P<0.001S). Fiberoptic assessment of the glottic view in group 1 (ILMA group) was grade 1 in 80% of the patients, whereas it was 92% in group 2 (Ambu Aura-i) (P=0.54). The mean time taken for fiberoptic-guided intubation was 14.95±1.85 in group 1 and 14.15±1.37 in group 2 (P>0.001). No significant difference was observed according to the number of attempts in intubating through ILMA/Ambu Aura-i. Seventy-five percent (75%) in group 1 and 87.5% in group 2 were successfully inserted on the first attempt (𝑝 = 0.33). The time taken for the removal of the device was 11.87 +1.265 seconds in group 1 and 11.25±1.58 seconds in group 2 (P=0.054). Conclusion The Ambu Aura-i scores superiorly over ILMA in requiring less time for successful insertion on the basis of statistical analysis and hence appears to be a better independent ventilatory device.