Laryngeal Mask Airway in Laparoscopic Hernia Repair

This prospective randomized study will evaluate the effectiveness of laryngeal mask airway (LMA) versus endotracheal intubation (ETT) for patients undergoing laparoscopic inguinal hernia at CMH.

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness during general anesthesia of laryngeal mask airway versus endotracheal tube for laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. There are limited pediatric literature evaluating the use of laryngeal mask airway for laparoscopic procedures compared with traditional endotracheal intubation. This study aims to add to this literature in providing information comparing the two techniques. The rationale for this study is to show that general anesthesia with laryngeal mask airway is an effective and non-inferior technique compared with general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation in pediatric patients undergoing laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair and may offer benefits in terms of efficiency of care and respiratory complications.

In this study arm, after induction of general anesthesia, the patients will receive a laryngeal mask airway device.

In this arm, after induction of general anesthesia, the patients will receive an endotracheal tube airway device.

Oyxgen saturation will be measured by pulse oximetry in percent saturation at three time points during the anesthetic

Patients will have oxygen saturation measured directly after intubation, five minutes after the start of surgery, and immediately prior to extubation.

Patients will have end-tidal carbon dioxide measured by capnography in mm Hg at three standardized time points during anesthesia.

Patients will have end-tidal carbon dioxide measured directly after intubation, five minutes after the start of surgery, and immediately prior to extubation.

Patients will have peak airway pressure in cm H2O measured at three standardized time points during anesthesia.

Patients will have peak airway pressure measured directly after intubation, five minutes after the start of surgery, and immediately prior to extubation.

Will document if oxygen desaturation occurs at any time during the surgery as defined as an oxygen saturation of less than 90%.

Patients will have the occurrence of oxygen desaturation documented if it occurs at any time point during the surgery.

Inclusion Criteria: Patients undergoing laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. Ages 12 months to 8 years of age American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification ASA 1 or 2 ASA 1- A normal, healthy patient ASA 2- A patient with mild systemic disease Elective with appropriate NPO status English speakers Spanish speakers Exclusion Criteria: Patients with current gastroesophageal reflux Obesity (CDC >= 95th %ile) Contraindications to study protocol medications