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A Debate Of Supraglottic Proportions... The Conclusion

Endotracheal intubation can be difficult in the emergent situation, and it is important to have an appropriate backup strategy. Supraglottic airway devices have provided an alternative method for pediatric airway management that is relatively easy to learn, with a high success rate...

The pharyngeal bulb gasway was the first SGA. It was developed in the late 1930s by Beverley Charles Leech, who designed a device that would conform to the average adult pharynx, forming an airtight seal and allowing for the passage of gases through its core. This product fell out of favor with advancements in ETI.

Archie Brain introduced the next SGA in 1983. He noted that better gas exchange…

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Featured

  An Easy Formula to Remember the Laryngeal Mask Airway Size–Patient Weight Relationship

With this formula, it is easy to calculate a suitable LMA size for a patient of known weight. In addition, there is little difference between the calculated LMA size–patient weight relation between this formula and the recommended formula.

 Laryngeal Mask Airway for Neonatal Resuscitation

In cases where PPV delivered via facemask / BVM does not resolve the neonate’s instability, use of LMAs lead to less need for endotracheal intubation.

 Second Gen. Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA): Is It Time For You to Upgrade?

The laryngeal mask airway has revolutionized routine anesthesia and has become the default rescue airway for difficult intubation and difficult mask ventilation. The King LT and Combitube have advantages for prehospital and tactical use, but they are not effective conduits for tracheal intubation.

 Supraglottic Airway Review

When inserted the LMA follows the path of a food bolus moving along the hard palate to the hypopharynx and then to the esophagus. Finally the LMA sits with the distal tip posterior to cricoid cartilage and masks the glottis for ventilation.

Articles of Interest

Alert: We May All Be Over-Inflating Our LMA Cuffs!

Since its invention, the Laryngeal Mask Airway, or LMA, has become quite valuable as a surgical airway alternative to intubation.

Another Way to Use the Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA)

The laryngeal mask airway (LMA) has changed airway management. Besides its use as an airway conduit, it is also used to help obtain a secure airway, i.e., it is used to facilitate the placement of an endotracheal tube. We describe a new technique to use in potential difficult pediatric airway.

Appropriate Size of Laryngeal Mask Airway for Children

In conclusion, the use of a size 2½ LMA in children weighing 10 to 20 kg provides a better fit compared to size 2 LMA. We recommend that the volume of air used to inflate the LMA be reduced from that currently recommended.

LMA Insertion

The laryngeal mask airway (LMA) is a very useful airway device and it has significantly changed airway management since it was first used in the late 1980s. On the one hand, it has given opportunities to use a less invasive and easier to place airway than a tracheal tube, and, on the other hand, allowed the practitioner to be freed up to do other tasks when compared with the use of the face mask. It is an excellent addition to the difficult airway trolley.

Supraglottic Airway Devices for Pediatric Airway Management in the Emergency Department

Endotracheal intubation can be difficult in the emergent situation, and having an appropriate backup strategy is important. In many situations, supraglottic airway devices (SGAs) can be used instead of endotracheal intubation to manage a patient’s airway. SGAs provide an alternative method for pediatric airway management that is relatively easy to learn, with a high success rate.

Supraglottic devices — future or everyday life?

Endotracheal intubation is the gold standard for instrumentally maintaining a secure airway. The procedure, however, is reserved for experienced personnel because of how difficult it is to perform and the many complications that arise with it. In situations where difficulty is encountered, an alternative device to secure airway patency is needed.

Resources

Sizes

Rescue airway in a failed intubation... Sizes: 0 (infant) to 6 (large adult), size 3 (females) or 4 (males) commonly used in adults.

StatPearls

Laryngeal mask airways (LMA) are supraglottic airway devices. They may be used as a temporary method to maintain an open airway during the administration of anesthesia or as an immediate life-saving measure in a patient with a difficult or failed airway. Laryngeal mask airways were introduced into clinical practice in the 1980s where they were initially used predominantly in the operating room. Since then, their use has become more widespread in the intensive care unit, emergency department, and field settings.