Supraglottic Airway Devices with Vision Guided Systems: Third Generation of Supraglottic Airway Devices

Abstract

Supraglottic airway devices are currently widely used for airway management both for anaesthesia and emergency medicine. First-generation SADs only had a ventilation channel and did not provide protection from possible aspiration of gastric content if regurgitation occurred. Second-generation SADs are equipped with a gastric channel to allow the insertion of a gastric catheter and suctioning of gastric content. Additionally, the seal was improved by a change in the shape of the cuff. Some second-generation SADs were also designed to allow for intubation through the lumen using fiberscopes. Although the safety and efficacy of use of SADs are very high, there are still some issues in terms of providing an adequate seal and protection from possible complications related to misplacement of SAD. New SADs which allow users to choose the insertion scope and control the position of SAD can overcome those problems. Additionally, the Video Laryngeal Mask Airway may serve as an endotracheal intubation device, offering a good alternative to fibre-optic intubation through second-generation SADs. In this narrative review, we provide knowledge of the use of video laryngeal mask airways and the possible advantages of introducing them into daily clinical practice.