Hypothesis- The ventilation of patients is adequate with both Supreme Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMAS) and Endotracheal Tube (ETT) undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia. My question is whether LMAS is better than or similar to ETT in the ventilation of the patient.

Rationale- Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is done under general anesthesia. Under general anesthesia the patient cannot breathe on his own, so we need to put in an airway device to mechanically ventilate his lungs.

Till date, the cuffed endotracheal tube was considered as the gold standard for providing a safe seal in the larynx, especially for laparoscopic procedures under general anesthesia. The disadvantages of tracheal intubation, which involves rigid laryngoscopy, are in terms of concomitant haemodynamic responses and damage to the oropharyngeal structures at insertion. Postoperative sore throat is also a serious concern. This precludes the global utility of the tracheal tube and requires a better alternative. Over a period of time, new airway devices have been added to the anaesthesiologist’s armamentarium.

Supreme laryngeal mask airway (LMAS) is a supraglottic device which has an advanced cuff to provide a better seal around the laryngeal opening and permits peak airway pressure more than 30 cm water without leak. It has a drain tube parallel to the ventilation tube which permits drainage of passively regurgitated gastric fluid away from the airway and serves as a passage for gastric tube. The LMAS is single use, latex free and is made of medical grade PVC. The firm, elliptical and anatomically shaped airway tube facilitates easy insertion, without placing fingers in the patient’s mouth or placing an introducer tool for insertion. 

This study is therefore undertaken to see if LMAS provides better or similar ventilation than ETT in healthy adult patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia.