A study to compare Air-Q intubating laryngeal airway with Ambu Auragain laryngeal mask for blind tracheal intubation using Parker flex tip tube

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: A number of supraglottic airways have been developed to facilitate the passage of tracheal tubes. Various studies have been conducted using air-Q ILA as a conduit for endotracheal intubation. Ambu AuraGain is a newer 3(rd) generation supraglottic airway device. There are limited studies available in literature on blind tracheal intubation through the Ambu AuraGain. This study was designed to compare air-Q ILA and Ambu AuraGain as conduit for blind tracheal intubation using Parker flex tip tube. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred twenty patients of either sex, aged 18-60 years, belonging to ASA physical status I or II scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia requiring endotracheal intubation were included in the study. Patients were randomly allocated to one of the two groups. Group A (n = 60) included blind intubation through air-Q ILA using Parker flex tip tube and group B (n = 60) included blind intubation through Ambu AuraGain using Parker flex tip tube. RESULTS: The first attempt success rate was significantly more in group A (P < 0.001). Intubation was significantly easy in group A as compared to group B (P < 0.001). The mean time for insertion of endotracheal tube through air-Q ILA in group A was 17.85 ± 6.25 sec while in group B it was 30.19 ± 10.97 sec (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Air-Q ILA resulted in significantly more success rate and ease of intubation as compared to Ambu AuraGain.