Influence of the laryngeal mask airway on the incidence of postoperative vomiting and of sore throats in children

100 ASA I and II children, aged 4 to 14 years, and scheduled for strabismus surgery, were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: group 1 (n=50): endotracheal tube, group 2 (n=50): laryngeal mask airway. Apart from airway management, the anaesthesiological procedures were identical in both groups: induction with 2-3 mg/kg propofol, 0.02 mg/kg alfentanil, 0.05 mg/kg vecuronium, and 0.01 mg/kg atropine. After endotracheal intubation or insertion of the laryngeal mask, anaesthesia was continued with 6-15 mg/kg . h propofol and 10-30 mu g/kg . h alfentanil. All patients were ventilated with N2O/O-2 (2:1). No antiemetics were given, gastric contents were not aspirated. Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) were recorded by 24 h, the incidence of sore threats was recorded 8, 12, and 24 h post-operatively. Results. The incidence of PONV was higher in group 1 (vomiting 48% vs 32%), nausea 28% vs 16% n.s.). Group 1 children had a higher incidence of sore throats (20% vs. 12%, n.s.), of a ''lump in the throat'' (10% vs 4%, n.s.), hoarseness (24% vs 0%, p<0.001) and dysarthria (10% vs 3%, n.s.). Conclusions. In children undergoing strabismus surgery, the laryngeal mask airway was superior to the endotracheal tube in terms of PONV and was associated with fewer local complications such as sore throat.