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A novel method for SLIPA™ size selection, for adult patients, on the basis of chamber length

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Abstract

Purpose

Nowadays the size of the streamlined liner of the pharynx airway (SLIPA™) is selected by matching the width of the thyroid cartilage of the patient to the widest dimension of the SLIPA™. The objective of this work was to improve the method of selection by matching the distance between the otobasion inferius and the most inferior margin of the cricoid cartilage (O–C) to the length of the SLIPA™ chamber.

Methods

100 patients (ASAI–II) scheduled to undergo operations under general anesthesia were randomly divided into two groups, group A (size selected by matching O–C with SLIPA™ chamber length, n = 50) and group B (size selected by matching the width of the thyroid cartilage with the widest dimension of the SLIPA™, n = 50). We measured the distance between the nasopharynx and the interarytenoid fold (N–I) and investigated the correlation between O–C and N–I at the neutral head position. Number of attempts, insertion time, blood on the device, leakage, and the need to change sizes were assessed.

Results

A positive correlation (r = 0.68, p < 0.05) was detected between N–I and O–C. Leakage was observed in 6 % (n = 3) of group A patients and in 20 % (n = 10) of group B patients (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Compared with the classic size-selection method, matching the width of the thyroid cartilage with that of the SLIPA™, the size-selection method of matching SLIPA™ chamber length to O–C for adult patients is more accurate.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, 610041, ChengDu, China

    Yansong Li, Ying Xie & Xinchuan Wei

Authors
  1. Yansong Li
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  2. Ying Xie
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  3. Xinchuan Wei
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xinchuan Wei.

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Li, Y., Xie, Y. & Wei, X. A novel method for SLIPA™ size selection, for adult patients, on the basis of chamber length. J Anesth 27, 557–562 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00540-013-1571-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00540-013-1571-2

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