A COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF MIDAZOLAM -THIOPENTONE WITH PROPOFOL ON LARYNGEAL MASK AIRWAY INSERTION CONDITION

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Laryngeal mask airway (LMA), an alternative airway device, provides and maintains a seal around the laryngeal inlet for spontaneous ventilation as well as modest level of positive pressure ventilation. But LMA requires a sufficient depth of anaesthesia& depression of airway reflexes to avoid adverse reactions like gagging, coughing, head & limb movements etc. We intended to test the efficacy of Thiopentone and Midazolam combination as an effective alternative to Propofol for insertion of LMA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred twenty patients (18-34 years) posted for different minor procedure ( 20 sec) and Severe (Sustained >20sec or needed Propofol to allow LMA insertion). RESULTS: Propofol is superior to combination of thiopentone-midazolam, in terms of achieving conditions like jaw relaxation, coughing & suppression of gagging during LMA insertion but regarding other variables like laryngospasm, hiccup & patient movement, which are equally important prerequisites for successful LMA insertion, there was not much statistically significant difference found between propofol and combination of thiopentone-midazolam. CONCLUSION: Combination of thiopentone - midazolam effectively blunts airway reflexes and adequately facilitates laryngeal mask airway insertion which can be comparable to propofol.