Use of the intubating laryngeal mask in children: an evaluation using video-endoscopic monitoring

Background and objective The intubating laryngeal mask is designed to act a s a ventilatory device and as an aid to blind tracheal intubation in adults . The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the intubating lary ngeal mask for ventilation of the lungs and tracheal intubation in children using video-endoscopic control. Methods The handling and efficacy of the size 3 intubating laryngeal mask f or tracheal intubation in 80 children weighing greater than or equal to 25 kg were assessed under video-endoscopic control. Ease of intubating larynge al mask insertion, adequacy of lung ventilation through the intubating lary ngeal mask and airway sealing pressures were recorded. Tracheal intubation was performed blindly by the intubator, while the supervisor observed the p rocedure on the video display. If blind intubation failed at the first atte mpt, the monitor view was used to guide the tracheal tube into the trachea. The success rate and time required for successfully placing the tracheal t ube were recorded. Results Insertion of the intubating laryngeal mask was easy in all children . Lung ventilation through the intubating laryngeal mask was uniformly exce llent. Blind tracheal intubation at the first attempt was successful in 53 children (66%) within 18.8 +/- 4.1 s. Twenty-four of the 27 failed blind in tubation attempts were successfully intubated with video-endoscopic guidanc e within 28.6 +/- 9.4 s. Two children required replacing the intubating lar yngeal mask, one child had to be intubated conventionally. Conclusions The size 3 intubating laryngeal mask provides an airway that is easy to establish in children greater than or equal to 25 kg with excellen t ventilation conditions and allows blind tracheal intubation at the first attempt with a high success rate. Endoscopic monitoring improves its safety and intubation success rate.