Background: Laryngeal mask airway (LMA) is an excellent airway device used in day care surgeries. We aimed to compare two induction anaesthetic agents, propofol and sevoflurane for LMA insertion conditions in day care surgeries.

Patients and Methods: This prospective, randomized study was conducted on 80 adult, ASA grade I and II patients, of either gender, undergoing elective day care surgical procedures. Patients were randomly divided in two groups of 40 each. Group P received intravenous propofol infusion at the rate of 800ml/ hour for induction followed by LMA insertion. Group S received 8% sevoflurane for induction followed by LMA insertion. Both groups were compared for LMA insertion conditions in terms of time taken from the start of induction to loss of verbal contact, loss of eyelash reflex, jaw relaxation, successful LMA insertion conditions, number of attempts of LMA insertion and effective airway establishment time. Unpaired student – t test and Chi square test were used for statistical analysis.

Results: Patients in Group P achieved earlier LMA insertion conditions as compared to Group S i.e. shorter time to loss of verbal contact (33.48 ± 6.55 seconds vs 41.30 ± 4.12 seconds), loss of eye lash reflex (36.50 ± 6.67 seconds vs 44.40 ± 4.06 seconds), adequate jaw relaxation (40.35 ± 7.64 seconds vs 49.02 ± 4.45 seconds), and effective airway establishment time (44.88 ± 8.86 vs 54.65 ± 4.28 seconds) (P value <0.001).

Conclusion: We concluded that both the agents can be used for insertion of LMA however induction and insertion of LMA is faster with propofol.