Study evaluates Optimisation of Table Height for Supraglottic Airway Device Insertion

Supraglottic airway devices (SADs) are utilized for airway maintenance during anesthesia procedures. Recent study aimed to investigate the impact of operating table height on supraglottic airway device (SAD) insertion and task performance. The researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial with 90 patients to determine the appropriate table height during SAD insertion in terms of time taken for insertion, success rate, ease of insertion, and anesthesiologist comfort. The patients were divided into three groups, and the table height was adjusted so that the patient’s forehead was at the level of 5 cm above the xiphoid process in group I, at the level of the xiphoid process in group II, and at the level of 5 cm below the xiphoid process in group III of the anesthesiologist. The study measured SAD insertion time, first attempt success rate, ease of insertion, and anesthesiologist comfort during the procedure.

Results and Conclusion

The results revealed that the SAD insertion time was lower in group III than in groups I and II, and a significant difference was found between the groups. Additionally, the mean ease of insertion score, anesthesiologist comfort, and the first-attempt success rate of SAD insertion were higher in group III than in groups I and II, with statistically significant differences. The study concluded that the lower table height with the patient’s forehead at the level of 5 cm below the xiphoid process of the anesthesiologist is ergonomically more efficient during SAD insertion and also more comfortable for the anesthesiologist. The study highlighted the importance of proper positioning of the patient’s head and the level of the patient in relation to the anesthesiologist, as improper positioning can lead to physical problems such as cervical disc pain, mental workload, and poor task performance.

The study utilized a randomized controlled trial design and was conducted from August 2021 to January 2022. The trial involved ASA physical status I and II patients, aged between 18 and 60 years, with mallampati of grade I and II. The primary outcome of the study was the SAD insertion time, which was significantly lower in group III than in groups I and II. The secondary outcomes, including the first-attempt success rate, ease of insertion, and anesthesiologist comfort, were also higher in group III than in group I and group II, with statistically significant differences among the groups. The study also mentioned the importance of appropriate operating table height in relation to the anesthesiologist during SAD insertion and the potential impact on the comfort and efficiency of the procedure.

Key Points

- A randomized controlled trial was conducted to investigate the impact of operating table height on supraglottic airway device (SAD) insertion and task performance in 90 patients.

- The patients were divided into three groups, where the table height was adjusted to position the patient’s forehead at different levels in relation to the anesthesiologist's xiphoid process. - The study measured SAD insertion time, first attempt success rate, ease of insertion, and anesthesiologist comfort during the procedure.

- Results showed that the SAD insertion time was lower, ease of insertion score was higher, anesthesiologist comfort was improved, and the first-attempt success rate of SAD insertion was higher when the table height positioned the patient’s forehead at the level of 5 cm below the xiphoid process of the anesthesiologist.

- The study concluded that lower table height with the patient’s forehead at the level of 5 cm below the xiphoid process of the anesthesiologist is ergonomically more efficient during SAD insertion and also more comfortable for the anesthesiologist.

- The study utilized a randomized controlled trial design and highlighted the importance of proper positioning of the patient’s head and level of the patient in relation to the anesthesiologist during SAD insertion, as improper positioning can lead to physical problems and poor task performance.

Reference –

Kumari P, Kumar A, Sinha C, Kumar A. Effect of table height on supraglottic airway insertion (I‑gel): A randomized control trial. J Anaesthesiol Clin Pharmacol.2024