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Review
. 2017 Dec;18(4):223-229.
doi: 10.7181/acfs.2017.18.4.223. Epub 2017 Dec 23.

Advantages, Disadvantages, Indications, Contraindications and Surgical Technique of Laryngeal Airway Mask

Anubhav Jannu  1 , Ashim Shekar  1 , Ramdas Balakrishna  1 , H Sudarshan  1 , G C Veena  1 , S Bhuvaneshwari  1
Affiliations
Review

Advantages, Disadvantages, Indications, Contraindications and Surgical Technique of Laryngeal Airway Mask

Anubhav Jannu et al. Arch Craniofac Surg. 2017 Dec.

Abstract

The beauty of the laryngeal mask is that it forms an air tight seal enclosing the larynx rather than plugging the pharynx, and avoid airway obstruction in the oropharynx. The goal of its development was to create an intermediate form of airway management face mask and endotracheal tube. Indication for its use includes any procedure that would normally involve the use of a face mask. The laryngeal mask airway was designed as a new concept in airway management and has been gaining a firm position in anesthetic practice. Despite wide spread use the definitive role of the laryngeal mask airway is yet to be established. In some situations, such as after failed tracheal intubation or in oral surgery its use is controversial. There are several unresolved issues, for example the effect of the laryngeal mask on regurgitation and whether or not cricoids pressure prevents placement of mask. We review the techniques of insertion, details of misplacement, and complications associated with use of the laryngeal mask. We then attempt to clarify the role of laryngeal mask in air way management during anesthesia, discussing the advantages and disadvantages as well as indications and contraindications of its use in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Keywords: Airway mask; Intubation; Laryngeal; Neck.

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Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICT OF INTEREST: No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. Insertion of laryngeal airway mask.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2. Connected to artificial airway.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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