Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Blockbuster(TM) laryngeal mask (LM), a newer supraglottic airway device, is claimed to be an efficient conduit for blind tracheal intubation. It comes with a specialized Blockbuster tube. A conventional silicone wire-reinforced tube can be an alternative to the Blockbuster tube. This study was conducted to compare the first pass success rate of endotracheal intubation with Blockbuster tube and silicone wire reinforced tube through Blockbuster(TM) laryngeal mask in children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was carried out in 90 children, aged between 3 and 12 years, belonging to ASA- I and II randomized into two groups. After induction, group I was intubated with a Blockbuster tube and group II with a silicone wire-reinforced tube through Blockbuster(TM) laryngeal mask. First pass success rate, maneuvers needed, number of attempts, time for intubation, hemodynamic changes, and complications were recorded. RESULTS: Group I had a higher first-pass success rate than group II (73.3% vs. 37.8%, P = 0.002), need for maneuvers was less in group I as compared to group II (26.7% vs. 62.2%, P = 0.000). The need for subsequent attempts for successful intubation was less in group I as compared to group II (24.5% vs. 57.7%, P = 0.002). The time taken to intubate in group I was 28.0 ± 2.2 s and in group II was 36.6 ± 2.3 s (P < 0.001). The two groups were comparable with respect to hemodynamic changes and complications. CONCLUSION: Silicone wire reinforced tube may not be a suitable alternative to Blockbuster ETT for endotracheal intubation through Blockbuster(TM) laryngeal mask in children.