How Does the OPLAC Compare to the Classic LMA?

The Oro-Pharyngo-Laryngeal Airway Cap outperformed the classic laryngeal mask airway, but the study had important limitations.

Researchers in Taiwan compared performance of the Oro-Pharyngo-Laryngeal Airway Cap (OPLAC) — a recently developed, noncuffed supraglottic airway device — to that of a classic laryngeal mask airway (LMA) in 60 healthy patients undergoing elective surgery. All patients underwent insertion of an OPLAC and LMA in random order by a single experienced anesthesiologist. The lead author of the study invented the device.

Insertion was successful on the first attempt in 59 patients with the OPLAC and in 58 with the LMA. All missed attempts were successful on the second insertion. Mean insertion time was significantly shorter with the OPLAC than with the LMA (13 vs. 16 seconds), mean peak airway sealing pressure was significantly higher (28 vs. 23 mm …

Reviewing Authors

Emily L. Brown, MD

Ron M. Walls, MD, FRCPC, FAAEM

Disclosures

Speaker's bureauAirway Management Education Center, LLC

EquityAirway Management Education Center, LLC

Grant / Research supportAgency for Health Care Research and Quality

Editorial boardsManual of Emergency Airway Management; Rosen's Emergency Medicine; UpToDate; Scientific American Medicine