Comparison of Respiratory Complications between Endotracheal Intubation and Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA) in Neonates Undergoing Inguinal Herniorrhaphy under General Anesthesia

There is growing use of laryngeal mask airway (LMA) as an alternative for endotracheal intubation, in maintaining airway in patients undergoing general anesthesia. However, there are not sufficient studies to compare advantages and side effects between laryngeal mask airway and endotracheal intubation in neonates.
A total of 88 neonates undergoing inguinal herniorrhaphy were allocated to two groups of 44. In one group, the airway was maintained through laryngeal mask airway, and through endotracheal intubation in the other. Peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2), end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2), heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure and recovery time were recorded and compared between the two groups. Respiratory complications including decreased O2 saturation, laryngospasm, bronchospasm, tube displacement and removal were recorded and compared, too.
Findings: Mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate were not significantly different between the two groups. SpO2 was significantly lower and ETCO2 was significantly higher in laryngeal mask airway group (P Our findings support the use of endotracheal intubation versus laryngeal mask airway in neonates.