The effect of nitrous oxide diffusion on laryngeal mask airway cuff inflation in children

Algren J., Gursoy F., Johnson T., Skjonsby B.

PAEDIATRIC ANAESTHESIA, vol.8, no.1, pp.31-36, 1998 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 8 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 1998
  • Doi Number: 10.1046/j.1460-9592.1998.00696.x
  • Journal Name: PAEDIATRIC ANAESTHESIA
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.31-36
  • Inonu University Affiliated: No

Abstract

We studied the effect of nitrous oxide (N2O) diffusion on size 2 LMA cuff inflation in 52 children, 38+/-21 months of age. LMA cuffs were inflated with air (Group A) or 65% N2O, oxygen and halothane (Group B). Cuffs were inflated in a stepwise manner, achieving a cuff leak pressure of 17+/-4 cm H2O for all patients. Cuff volume and intracuff pressure increased in Group A (8.5+/-1.0 mi to 10.8+/-1.4 mi and 101+/-36 mmHg to 152+/-42 mmHg, respectively) and decreased in Group B (8.9+/-1.0 mi to 6.6+/-1.5 mi and 90+/-30 mmHg to 53+/-37 mmHg, respectively). Cuff leak pressure did not change significantly in either group. We conclude that cuff inflation with a mixture of N2O/oxygen prevents N2O diffusion into the cuff, avoiding cuff overinflation without compromising LMA function.