Comparison of Mean Insertion Time of Supraglottic Airway Device in Children Followed by Trapezius Squeeze Test Versus Jaw Thrust

Abstract

Objective: To compare the assessment of the timing of insertion of supraglottic airway device in children by trapezius squeeze test versus jaw thrust as an indicator of the depth of anaesthesia.

Study Design: Prospective comparative study.

Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital, Quetta Pakistan, from Jan to Dec 2021.

Methodology: Eighty children undergoing surgical interventions under Sevoflurane anaesthesia with supraglottic airway device having ASA physical status I or II were divided into two sets of 40 children. Both groups were labelled Group-A (trapezius squeeze test) and Group-B (jaw thrust). Supraglottic airway device iGel was inserted immediately after the negative trapezius squeeze test or jaw thrust. A negative test was defined as the absence of cough, reflex movements, breath-holding, gag reflex and laryngospasm. Insertion time and the number of attempts were carefully recorded.

Results: The mean age of patients in the study was 4.8±2.028years, and the mean weight was 17.05±5.34. 47% of patients were in ASA-I, 52% in ASA-II in Group-A, 40 % were ASA-I and 60% in ASAII in Group-B. The mean insertion time was 143.42±5.56 seconds in Group-A and 117.525±7.15 seconds in Group-B with a p-value of 0.002.

Conclusion: We concluded that the trapezius squeeze test provides better insertion conditions for supraglottic airway devices than jaw thrust during Sevoflurane anaesthesia in pediatric patients.