Use of the intubating laryngeal mask for airway management and light-guided tracheal intubation in the lateral position

Sudden accidental loss of the airway during surgery is potentially hazardou s especially when the patient is lying in any position which prevents easy intubation of the trachea. We describe two patients lying in the lateral po sition who required urgent airway management and endotracheal intubation. I n both cases endotracheal intubation was achieved successfully using a ligh t-guided technique - with a prototype illuminated flexible catheter - throu gh an intubating laryngeal mask airway.