Comparison of BlockBuster® Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA) and LMA® Supreme™ in Patients Undergoing General Anesthesia: A...

Introduction Although second-generation supraglottic airway devices have been established in routine anesthetic practice for more than two decades, newer devices such as the BlockBuster® laryngeal mask airway (BlockBuster® LMA; Teleflex Medical, Westmeath, Ireland) have been developed with design modifications intended to improve airway sealing and facilitate tracheal intubation. However, direct comparative clinical evidence between the newer BlockBuster® LMA and the well-established LMA® Supreme™ (Tuoren Medical Device Co., Ltd., Henan, China) remains limited, particularly in adult patients undergoing routine general anesthesia. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of the BlockBuster® LMA and LMA® Supreme™ in adults undergoing surgery under general anesthesia. Materials and methods This prospective study included 72 adult patients who underwent elective surgery under general anesthesia. The patients were allocated to either the BlockBuster® LMA group or the LMA® Supreme™ group, with 36 patients in each group. Device insertion characteristics, airway performance, hemodynamic parameters, gastric tube insertion characteristics, end-tidal carbon dioxide values, and postoperative airway-related complications were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed, and a p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Baseline demographic and airway characteristics were comparable between the groups. The BlockBuster® LMA demonstrated significantly superior airway performance, with a higher oropharyngeal leak pressure (32.33 ± 1.97 cmH₂O vs. 25.58 ± 2.41 cmH₂O; p<0.001). Easy insertion was achieved in 28 (38.9%) and 24 (33.3%) patients in the BlockBuster® LMA and LMA® Supreme™ groups, respectively. Airway manipulation was required in 14 (38.9%) and 20 (55.6%) patients, respectively. Easy gastric tube insertion was observed in 33 (45.8%) and 31 (43.0%) patients in the BlockBuster® LMA and LMA® Supreme™ groups, respectively. The number of insertion attempts, gastric tube insertion time, end-tidal carbon dioxide values, and hemodynamic parameters were comparable between the groups. Postoperative airway morbidity and device-related complications were infrequent and showed no significant intergroup differences in the present study. Conclusion Both devices provided effective and safe airway management during general anesthesia. However, the BlockBuster® LMA demonstrated higher oropharyngeal leak pressure, indicating improved airway sealing performance, while maintaining a safety profile comparable to that of the LMA® Supreme™. These findings support the use of both LMAs as reliable second-generation supraglottic airway devices in routine anesthesia practice.