Comparison of the Conventional and New Techniques of Laryngeal Mask Airway Insertion in Postoperative Sore Throat

The present study aimed to compare the conventional and new techniques of laryngeal mask airway (LMA) insertion in terms of the rate and severity of postoperative sore throat. This clinical trial was conducted on 80 patients referring to Khatam-ol Anbia Hospitalin Mashhad, Iran for phacoemulsification. The patients underwent general anesthesia, and the conventional technique was performed by pushing down the LMA with the dominant hand with the simultaneous support of the index finger of the dominant hand. In addition, the new technique was carried out by conducting the LMA with the dominant hand and simultaneous use of the non-dominant hand to prevent the contact of the cuff with the palate and oropharynx tissues. All the variables were assessed one day after the operation. The rate of postoperative sore throat was 7.5% in the conventional technique and 1.25% in the new technique. Comparison of the rate of postoperative sore throat between the study groups showed a significant difference in this regard (P=0.048). The overall rate of postoperative sore throat one day after the operation was 3.75%, while it was estimated at 3.75% in the conventional technique. However, comparison of the rate of postoperative sore throat between the study groups demonstrated no significant difference in this regard (P=0.077). Considering the higher effectiveness of the new LMA insertion technique compared to the conventional one technique in the prevention of preventing mucosal bleeding and postoperative sore throat, the new this technique is recommended as a can be used as a safe alternative to for the conventional technique. In the new LMA insertion technique, the this method, the rate of postoperative sore throat decreased due to the declined diminished due to reduced pressure on the tissues of the oropharynx tissues.