USE OF THE LARYNGEAL MASK AIRWAY AFTER ESOPHAGEAL INTUBATION

Citation
Na. Pace et al., USE OF THE LARYNGEAL MASK AIRWAY AFTER ESOPHAGEAL INTUBATION, British Journal of Anaesthesia, 73(5), 1994, pp. 688-689
Citations number
6
Categorie Soggetti
Anesthesiology
ISSN journal
00070912
Volume
73
Issue
5
Year of publication
1994
Pages
688 - 689
Database
ISI
SICI code
0007-0912(1994)73:5<688:UOTLMA>2.0.ZU;2-1
Abstract
We have compared insertion of a tracheal tube and laryngeal mask airwa y (LMA) both with and without the presence of a tube in the oesophagus in 20 ASA I and II patients undergoing elective laparoscopy. After in duction of anaesthesia and neuromuscular block, we measured the times for an experienced anaesthetist to correctly position both an LMA and a tracheal tube with and without a tube in the oesophagus. The time to intubation was significantly less with the LMA than with the tracheal tube, both with and without an oesophageal tube in place (P < 0.05). We conclude that if a tracheal tube is placed unintentionally in the o esophagus, an LMA may be used subsequently to provide rapid and effect ive oxygenation of the patient.