Is Laryngeal Mask Airway a Safe Alternative to Endotracheal Tube in Prone Position? A Comparative Evaluation in Anesthesia for Spine Surgery

 Is Laryngeal Mask Airway a Safe Alternative to Endotracheal Tube in Prone Position? A Comparative Evaluation in Anesthesia for Spine Surgery

The laryngeal mask airway is being increasingly used to maintain the airway in prone position. But there has been a dearth of enough prospective studies in spine surgeries. 100 consenting patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery were randomized into one of the two groups receiving either laryngeal mask airway (LMA) or endotracheal tube (ETT) for airway maintenance during anaesthesia. In LMA group anaesthesia was induced after patient positioned themselves comfortably on the operating table in prone position.