Learning of Copa™ (cuffed oropharyngeal airway) insertion.

Objective: To assess learning of Copa(TM) (cuffed oropharyngeal airway) technique required for insertion and manual ventilation. Study design: Open prospective clinical study. Persons: Four staff members, two anaesthetists and two nurse anaesthetists and 74 ASA I or II patients without difficult intubation criteria presenting for minor surgery in the supine position under general anaesthesia. Methods: After induction of anaesthesia, the Copa(TM) was inserted by each doctor and nurse in at least 16 patients and the ventilation manually assisted until spontaneous breathing resumed. Results: The success rate of insertion at the first attempt was 97%. Therefore no learning period was required. Two laryngospasms and two episodes of cough occurred during Copa(TM) placement. Additional manipulations to optimise the ventilation were needed in 48 patients. Conclusion: Copa(TM) is easy to use without previous training. Further studies are required to assess its side effects and the appropriate depth of anaesthesia required for its insertion. (C) 1999 Elsevier, Paris.