Preliminary evaluation of SaCoVLM™ video laryngeal mask airway in airway management for general anesthesia

BACKGROUND: To preliminary evaluate the application of SaCoVLM™ video laryngeal mask airway in airway management of general anesthesia. METHODS: We recruited 100 adult patients (ages 18–78 years, male 19, female 81, weight 48–90 kg) with normal predicted airway (Mallampati I ~ II, unrestricted mouth opening, normal head and neck mobility) and ASA I-II who required general anaesthesia. The SaCoVLM™ was inserted after anesthesia induction and connected with the anesthesia machine for ventilation. Our primary outcome was glottic visualization grades. Secondary outcomes included seal pressure, success rate of insertion, intraoperative findings (gastric reflux and contraposition), gastric drainage and 24-h complications after operation. RESULTS: The laryngeal inlet was exposed in all the patients and shown on the video after SaCoVLM™ insertion. The status of glottic visualization was classified: grade 1 in 55 cases, grade 2 in 23 cases, grade 3 in 14 cases and grade 4 in 8 cases. The first-time success rate of SaCoVLM™ insertion was 95% (95% CI = 0.887 to 0.984), and the total success rate was 96% (95% CI = 0.901 to 0.989). The sealing pressure of SaCoVLM™ was 34.1 ± 6.2 cmH(2)O and the gastric drainage were smooth. Only a small number of patients developed mild complications after SaCoVLM™ was removed (such as blood stains on SaCoVLM™ and sore throat). CONCLUSIONS: The SaCoVLM™ can visualize partial or whole laryngeal inlets during the surgery, with a high success rate, a high sealing pressure and smooth gastroesophageal drainage. SaCoVLM™ could be a promise new effective supraglottic device to airway management during general anesthesia. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR,ChiCTR2000028802.Registered 4 January 2020.