FIBEROPTIC LARYNGOTRACHEOSCOPY VIA THE LARYNGEAL MASK AIRWAY IN CHILDREN

Background: Fibreoptic laryngotracheoscopy via the laryngeal mask airw ay - previously reported in adults but not in children - gives a bette r endoscopic view of the upper airway than does endoscopy via an endot racheal tube. Method: The endoscopic procedure was carried out via a s ize 2 laryngeal mask in 4 spontaneously breathing children between 1 a nd 6 years old. Anaesthesia was induced and maintained with halothane in 50-100% oxygen. Results: The laryngeal mask was found to enable lar yngotracheoscopy with a flexible 5.0-mm fibreoptic endoscope with no t echnical difficulties. Spontaneous ventilation could be readily preser ved throughout the endoscopic procedure. Conclusions: In children anae sthetized with halothane, flexible fibreoptic laryngotracheoscopy via a laryngeal mask is a useful method - offering technical advantages no t achieved otherwise - provided that generally approved restrictions t o the use of a laryngeal mask airway are taken into account. (C) Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica 41 (1997).