COMPARISON OF WEIGHT BASED AND PINNA SIZE METHOD FOR CLASSIC LARYNGEAL MASK AIRWAY SELECTION IN CHILDREN RECEIVING GENERAL ANESTHESIA -A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL STUDY

Abstract

Appropriate size selection of the Classic Laryngeal Mask Airway (cLMA) is essential for ensuring effective ventilation and reducing airway-related complications in pediatric anesthesia. While weight-based sizing is the conventional method, pinna size has been suggested as a simple anatomical alternative. This randomized clinical study compared weight-based and pinna size methods for cLMA selection in children undergoing general anesthesia. Pediatric patients were randomly assigned to either weight-based or pinna size-guided cLMA selection. Airway insertion characteristics, adequacy of ventilation, oropharyngeal leak pressure, and perioperative airway complications were evaluated. The pinna size method showed comparable insertion success, ventilation effectiveness, and safety outcomes to the weight-based method, with no statistically significant differences between the groups. These findings suggest that pinna size is a practical, reliable, and effective alternative for cLMA size selection in pediatric patients receiving general anesthesia.

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