Novices Perform Better with Intubating Laryngeal Mask Airway Than with Bag, Mask, and Laryngoscope

Some experts recommend that novice intubators use alternatives to tracheal intubation, such as the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) or Combitube, but is this good advice? Researchers in Germany compared novices’ success rates at ventilation and intubation using the intubating laryngeal mask airway (ILMA) with using bag-mask ventilation followed by intubation by direct laryngoscopy.

Thirty senior medical students with no airway management training or experience were enrolled. Students attended a 90-minute lecture on airway management, followed by hands-on simulator practice and demonstration of proficiency with each device and method, including techniques, such as BURP, for difficult situations. Each student also was required to demonstrate correc…