Malposition of the epiglottis after tracheal intubation via the intubatinglaryngeal mask

The intubating laryngeal mask has been reported to be a successful method o f tracheal intubation although advancement of the tracheal tube via the lar yngeal inlet into the trachea cannot be seen. Damage to the larynx or other tissues may occur during blind passage of a tracheal tube. We report a cas e in which the tracheal tube, advanced blindly, tucked the epiglottis into the laryngeal inlet, resulting in oedema of the epiglottis. This case illus trates the potential for airway obstruction after extubation when using the intubating laryngeal mask as a blind intubation guide.