Comparison of ease of endotracheal intubation through blockbuster LMA in right vs left lateral decubitus position

Endotracheal intubation is the gold standard in airway management , often performed in patients in a supine position. This position easily accessible and manageable , especially in emergencies like haemodynamic instability, arrythmias, cardiac arrest, seizures, pulmonary embolism, acute desaturation, and accidental extubation. However, supine position during surgery is not always possible for all patients and may  require neuromuscular blockade, trauma to the airway, awareness under anaesthesia, and failure to establish an airway, leading to hypoxia and death. Previous studies have have shown successful ventilation and intubation in lateral position, including laryngeal mask airway, intubating laryngeal mask airway. We conduct a study to compare the ease of endotracheal intubation through Blockbuster LMA in Right vs Left lateral decubitus position.

The study will involve 50 patients aged 18-65, weighing 40kg to 70 kg , scheduled for elective surgery under general anaesthesia. Patients with airway pathology, facial and tongue anomalies, restricted mouth opening, previous tracheostomization, refusal to participate, pregnant women, or unable to lie down in lateral position will be excluded. Patients will be randomly allocated to one of two groups: Group Right (25) and Group Left (25), with Blockbuster LMA insertion and endotracheal intubation in the right and left decubitus position. Anaesthesia monitoring will include HR,NIBP,ECG,SpO2, and EtCO2. The anaesthesiologist performing the procedure will use their right and left hand for the right and left - sided Blockbuster LMA placement and intubations.