BRONCHOSCOPIC AIRWAY EVALUATION FACILITATED BY THE LARYNGEAL MASK AIRWAY IN PEDIATRIC-PATIENTS

The laryngeal mask airway (LMA) was introduced for clinical use in 198 8. It represents a new concept in airway management. Its role has been described as filling the gap between tracheal intubation and the anes thesia face mask. It is inserted without direct visualization into the hypopharynx and when properly positioned forms a low pressure seal ar ound the laryngeal inlet, allowing spontaneous as well as gentle posit ive pressure ventilation. Since its introduction, its indications and applications in anesthesia practice have increased. Although initially used as a means of delivering anesthesia and obviating the need for h olding a mask on the patient, its position directly over the laryngeal inlet makes it a useful guide during flexible bronchoscopy. We report our experience in six pediatric patients and describe an anesthetic t echnique for bronchoscopy using the LMA for general anesthesia with sp ontaneous ventilation. (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.