Suction catheter guided insertion of the ProSeal™ laryngeal mask airway is superior to the digital technique

We tested the hypothesis that digital insertion of the ProSeal laryngeal mask airway (ProSeal LMA) is more successful when using a suction catheter (SC) as a guide.Two hundred and forty-three patients (ASA physical status I-III; aged 18-84 yr) were randomly allocated for the digital or SC-guided technique. The digital technique was performed according to the manufacturer's instructions. The SC technique involved priming the drain tube with the SC so that it protruded by 15 cm, blindly inserting the SC into the pharynx to a depth of 15 cm, followed by the digital technique. Failed insertion was defined by any of the following criteria: 1) failed passage into the pharynx; 2) malposition; and …