Comparative Evaluation of Fastrach Silicone Wire-Reinforced Tube, Polyvinyl Chloride Tube and PVC Armoured Tube for Blind Tracheal Intubation through the Intubating Laryngeal Mask Airway

Background and Aims: The reusable Fastrach silicone wire reinforced tube (FTST) was designed for tracheal intubation through the intubating laryngeal mask airway (ILMA). The polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tube and the PVC armoured tube (PAT) are disposable, cheaper and readily available as compared to the FTST. Hence, we decided to compare the clinical performance of these 3 types of tubes for tracheal intubation through the ILMA. Methods: Ninety patients between 18-65 years with ASA class I and II and Mallampati Grading I and II undergoing elective surgery under general anaesthesia were enrolled for this prospective, randomised study. Patients were divided randomly into three groups consisting of 30 patients each, to undergo intubation by FTST, PVC, PAT tubes through an ILMA. Overall success rate, ease of insertion, the number of attempts for successful intubation, critical incidence during intubation and post-operative sore throat were compared. Data was compiled and analysed using appropriate statistical tests and value of p<0.05 was considered significant. Results: The overall success rate was 100% in all groups; the first-attempt success rate was 90% with FTST compared to 83.33% with PVC and 60% with PAT. The time taken for intubation was 9.57±1.77 s in FTST group, 13.70±3.20 s in PVC and 15.13±2.94 s in PAT group. The incidence a of sore throat was 53.33% in PVC and 50% in PAT as compared with 26.66% in FTST group. Conclusion: The FTST is superior to PVC and PAT for intubation through an ILMA. PVC and PAT can be considered as an alternative to FTST in normal patients and their intubation success rates can be improved by using various manoeuvres for tube placement.