The Effect of Ultrasonographic Airway Measurements and Anatomical Differences on Laryngeal Mask Placement in Young and Older Adults

August 21, 2026 updated by: Gizem Demir Şenoğlu, Duzce University

The Effect of Ultrasonographic Airway Measurements and Anatomical Differences on Laryngeal Mask Placement in Young and Older Adults: A Prospective Observational Study

This prospective observational study aims to compare ultrasonographic upper-airway measurements and age-related anatomical differences between young adults (18-40 years) and older adults (>65 years), and to evaluate their effects on laryngeal mask airway (LMA) placement success and position accuracy. Preoperative airway ultrasonography measurements will be assessed, followed by evaluation of LMA placement, ventilation efficacy, insertion attempts, placement time, and complications. Ultrasonography will also be used to assess LMA position after placement, with confirmation by leak testing and fiberoptic evaluation. Preoperative and postoperative gastric volume will additionally be assessed.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Detailed Description

Laryngeal mask airway use is common in general anesthesia. Age-related anatomical and physiological changes of the upper airway may influence LMA placement in older adults. The study will prospectively evaluate patients undergoing procedures suitable for LMA placement at Düzce University Faculty of Medicine. Participants will be divided into young adults (18-40 years) and older adults (>65 years). Demographic, anthropometric, clinical airway assessment and ultrasonographic airway measurements will be recorded. Following standardized induction, a ProSeal LMA will be placed by an anesthesia research resident with at least three years of experience. The number of insertion attempts and placement time will be recorded. LMA position will be assessed by ultrasonography and compared with leak testing and fiberoptic confirmation. Ventilation parameters, cuff pressure, LMA position changes, gastric volume and postoperative complications will also be recorded.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

188

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Locations

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Adult patients scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia with planned laryngeal mask airway use will be enrolled. The study population will include two age-based groups: young adults aged 18-40 years with ASA physical status I-II, and older adults aged 65 years or above with ASA physical status I-III. Eligible participants will be patients with intact neck anatomy and clinical suitability for supraglottic airway management. Patients with BMI >35 kg/m², pregnancy, known obstructive sleep apnea, significant neck deformity or prior diagnostic/therapeutic neck procedures, or mouth opening <2.5 cm will be excluded.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Patient or legally appropriate representative/relative accepts participation as applicable.
  • Surgery suitable for LMA placement.
  • Age 18-40 years or >65 years.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Pregnancy
  • Age <18 years
  • History of upper airway surgery
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease, ulcer, or gastrointestinal bleeding history
  • Inadequate fasting duration
  • Emergency surgery
  • Requirement for nasogastric tube placement
  • Unstable teeth
  • Mouth opening <3 cm
  • Recent pulmonary infection
  • Recent upper airway infection
  • Pulmonary disease associated with increased airway pressures (cystic fibrosis, COPD, interstitial lung disease)
  • Restricted cervical movement / inability to achieve required extension
  • Ultrasound gel allergy
  • Refusal to participate

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
young patient
Young adult patients aged 18-40
older patient
Adult patients over the age of 65

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
First-attempt successful LMA placement rate
Time Frame: During LMA insertion
The primary outcome will compare the proportion of successful first-attempt ProSeal LMA placements between young and older adult groups.
During LMA insertion

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Duzce University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

July 1, 2025

Primary Completion (Estimated)

July 30, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

August 30, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

August 17, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 17, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

August 20, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

August 24, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 21, 2026

Last Verified

August 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 2025/157

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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