Background: The Combitube has proved to be a valuable device for securing the airway in cases of difficult intubation. This study investigated the effectiveness of the Combitube in elective surgery during both mechanical and spontaneous ventilation.
Methods: Two hundred patients classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I and II, with normal airways, scheduled for elective surgery were randomly allocated into two groups: nonparalyzed, spontaneously breathing (n = 100); or paralyzed, mechanically ventilated (n = 100). After induction of general anesthesia and insertion of the Combitube, oxygen saturation, end-tidal carbon dioxide and isoflurane concentration, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate, as well as breath-by-breath spirometry data were obtained every 5 min.
Results: In 97% of patients, it was possible to maintain oxygenation, ventilation, and respiratory mechanics, as well as hemodynamic stability during either mechanical or spontaneous ventilation for the entire duration of surgery. The duration of surgery was between 15 and 155 min.
Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that the Combitube is an effective and safe airway device for continued management of the airway in 97% of elective surgery cases.