The effects of the Cobra perilaryngeal airway on intraocular pressure

Aim: To compare the effects of the Cobra perilaryngeal airway on intraocular pressure with the effects of the classic laryngeal mask and endotracheal intubation. Materials and methods: Forty-five ASA I or II patients were randomly allocated into 3 equal groups. Endotracheal intubation (EI group), the classic laryngeal mask airway (cLMA group), and the Cobra perilaryngeal airway (Cobra PLA group) were applied to the groups. Heart rate and systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressures were recorded. Intraocular pressure was measured with an applanation tonometer before and during the 15 min aft er application. Results: Heart rate and systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressures were lower in the cLMA group than in the other groups at 1 and 5 min after application (P 0.05). In all of the groups, the mean intraocular pressure increased significantly compared to the baseline during the study. In the Cobra PLA and cLMA groups, these increases at 1 min (14.9 mmHg and 14.2 mmHg, respectively) were significantly lower than those in the EI group (mean: 18.8 mmHg) (P = 0.001). Conclusion: The Cobra PLA and cLMA should be chosen over EI in patients for whom increased intraocular pressure is not desirable.