The Self-Pressurized Air-Q and LMA Unique Devices Perform Comparably in Children

The self-pressurized air-Q intubating laryngeal airway (air-Q SP) is a new supraglottic airway device that equalizes cuff pressure with that of the airway tube and does not require cuff insufflation. Sixty healthy children (age, 3 to 9 years; weight, 20 to 30 kg) undergoing elective surgery were randomized to ventilation using the air-Q SP or the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) Unique. Operators were experienced anesthesiologists who had each performed >50 air-Q SP insertions. Patients with active respiratory infections, developmental delay, or potentially difficult intubations were excluded.

Each supraglottic device was successfully placed on the first attempt without any airway manipulation. No clinically significant differences between the ai…