Effect of Laryngeal Mask Cuff Pressure in Geriatric Patients

Laryngeal Mask is widely used for air-way management during anaesthesia. Pharyngolaryngeal morbidity linked to laryngeal mask use is related to correct choice of mask size, placement technique, placement of the laryngeal mask in the correct position on the larynx, cuff volume and cuff pressure. It has been stated that keeping laryngeal mask cuff pressure below 45 mmHg (60 centimeter of water(cmH2O) ) can prevent pharyngolaryngeal morbidity related to laryngeal mask (throat pain, dysphonia, dysphagia) and shown that using a manometer after Laryngeal Mask Unique placement to limit pressure within the cuff can reduce this morbidity by nearly 70%. Studies commenting on pharyngolaryngeal morbidity generally do not choose a certain age group and cover stages including very young and middle-aged groups. In the literature only one similar study on the geriatric age group was found. The aim of this study is to compare the postoperative pharyngolaryngeal morbidity in a group with cuff pressure held to 44 mmHg (60 cmH2O with a manometer and a group with Laryngeal Mask cuff inflated without reference to pressure in the geriatric age group with indications for Laryngeal Mask Unique placement.