Comparison of BlockBuster laryngeal mask with Air-Q intubating laryngeal airway as a conduit for fiber-optic guided intubation in children: A prospective randomized controlled study

BackgroundThe pediatric sizes of BlockBuster supraglottic airway (SGA) have been introduced recently. Its efficacy as a conduit for endotracheal intubation in children has not been assessed. Newer devices are often compared with Air-Q SGA to assess their intubating capability. AimsThe primary objective was to compare the time taken for fiber-optic-guided intubation through the BlockBuster and the Air-Q SGAs. MethodsSixty children aged 6 months to 12 years with normal airways were randomized into two groups: Air-Q SGA (Group A) and Blockbuster SGA (Group B). After administration of general anesthesia, an appropriately sized SGA was inserted. The time taken for fiber-optic-guided intubation through the SGA, success, ease, and time for SGA insertion and removal were noted. The glottic view was graded by fiber-optic bronchoscopy. ResultsDemographic parameters were comparable. The time to intubate with the BlockBuster 62.40 +/- 17.2 s was comparable to the Air-Q 60.8 +/- 18.5 s (mean difference 1.6 s, 95% CI -7.65 to10.85; p = .73). The average time for SGA insertion in BlockBuster and Air-Q was 14.57 +/- 3.2 s and 16.67 +/- 5.39 s, respectively (mean difference -2.1, 95% CI -4.39 to 0.19 s; p = .07). The first-attempt intubation success and overall intubation success rates were comparable in both groups, 96.7% and 100%, respectively. In Group B, 25/3/1/1/0 cases had a glottic view grade of 1/2/3/4/5, respectively. In Group A, 23/3/2/2/0 cases had grade of 1/2/3/4/5 glottic views respectively. The average time to SGA removal was comparable between the BlockBuster (20.17 +/- 5.8 s) and the Air-Q (22.5 +/- 12.8 s) groups (mean difference -2.3 s, 95% CI -7.5 to 2.82 s; p = .37). None of the children had any perioperative complications. ConclusionBlockBuster SGA may be a useful alternative to Air-Q for SGA-assisted, fiber-optic-guided tracheal intubation in children.