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. 2024;121(6):780-790.
doi: 10.1159/000538808. Epub 2024 Jun 4.

Laryngeal Mask Airway in Neonatal Resuscitation: A Survey of the Union of European Neonatal and Perinatal Societies

Daniele Trevisanuto  1 , Camilla Gizzi  2   3 , Francesco Cavallin  4 , Artur Beke  3   5 , Giuseppe Buonocore  3   6 , Antonia Charitou  3   7 , Manuela Cucerea  3   8 , Boris Filipović-Grčić  3   9 , Nelly Georgieva Jekova  3   10 , Esin Koç  3   11 , Joana Saldanha  3   12 , Dalia Stoniene  3   13 , Heili Varendi  3   14 , Giuseppe De Bernardo  15 , John Madar  16 , Marije Hogeveen  17 , Luigi Orfeo  18 , Fabio Mosca  19 , Giulia Vertecchi  3 , Corrado Moretti  3   20
Affiliations

Laryngeal Mask Airway in Neonatal Resuscitation: A Survey of the Union of European Neonatal and Perinatal Societies

Daniele Trevisanuto et al. Neonatology. 2024.

Abstract

Introduction: Laryngeal mask airway (LMA) use in neonatal resuscitation is limited despite existing evidence and recommendations. This survey investigated the knowledge and experience of healthcare providers on the use of the LMA and explored barriers and solutions for implementation.

Methods: This online, cross-sectional survey on LMA in neonatal resuscitation involved healthcare professionals of the Union of European Neonatal and Perinatal Societies (UENPS).

Results: A total of 858 healthcare professionals from 42 countries participated in the survey. Only 6% took part in an LMA-specific course. Some delivery rooms were not equipped with LMA (26.1%). LMA was mainly considered after the failure of a face mask (FM) or endotracheal tube (ET), while the first choice was limited to neonates with upper airway malformations. LMA and FM were considered easier to position but less effective than ET, while LMA was considered less invasive than ET but more invasive than FM. Participants felt less competent and experienced with LMA than FM and ET. The lack of confidence in LMA was perceived as the main barrier to its implementation in neonatal resuscitation. More training, supervision, and device availability in delivery wards were suggested as possible actions to overcome those barriers.

Conclusion: Our survey confirms previous findings on limited knowledge, experience, and confidence with LMA, which is usually considered an option after the failure of FM/ET. Our findings highlight the need for increasing the availability of LMA in delivery wards. Moreover, increasing LMA training and having an LMA expert supervisor during clinical practice may improve the implementation of LMA use in neonatal clinical practice.

Keywords: Laryngeal mask; Neonate; Resuscitation; Supraglottic airway device.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no potential conflict of interest to disclose.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Participants’ opinion on using LMA as the first interface or after face mask ventilation failure in specific clinical situations (numerical data in online suppl. Table 3).
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Participants’ opinion on positioning, effectiveness, and invasiveness of LMA, FM, and ET and self-competence and experience about using the devices (numerical data in online suppl. Table 5).
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
Participants’ self-competence and experience with using LMA, FM, and ET (numerical data in online suppl. Tables 6–7).
Fig. 4.
Fig. 4.
Participants’ opinion on the reasons for the limited use of LMA in neonatal resuscitation and possible actions to implement it (numerical data in online suppl. Table 8).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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