An evaluation of the Cobra Perilaryngeal Airway™: Study halted after two cases of pulmonary aspiration

Abstract

The Cobra Perilaryngeal Airway™ (Engineered Medical Systems, Indianapolis, IN) is a new supraglottic airway designed for spontaneous and controlled ventilation. It is not yet commercially available in the UK. Our aim was to evaluate the performance of the Cobra Perilaryngeal Airway™ in a cohort study and in a randomised, controlled, crossover comparison study with the Classic Laryngeal Mask Airway™. After studying 29 patients, both studies were suspended and later stopped after two cases of significant pulmonary aspiration had occurred in patients whilst using the Cobra Perilaryngeal Airway™. These cases raised concern about both the design and the safety of the Cobra Perilaryngeal Airway™, particularly during controlled ventilation. We suggest that the Cobra Perilaryngeal Airway™ should not be marketed for controlled ventilation until more safety data are available. 2005 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.