Fibreoptic bronchoscopy under general anaesthesia using the laryngeal mask airway

The laryngeal mask airway was used to facilitate fibreoptic bronchoscopy under general anaesthesia in 140 adult patients. Following placement, the position of the mask was observed through the fibreoptic bronchoscope. Three different positions were identified. In 120 patients (86%) the concave surface of the mask faced the larynx directly with or without some unfolding of the epiglottis. In 17 patients (12%) the laryngeal mask appeared to be at an angle facing one pyriform fossa and in two patients the tip of the mask lay anterior to the arytenoids. No problems with ventilation or maintenance of an acceptable airway were encountered. In one patient repositioning of the laryngeal mask was necessary to allow the passage of the bronchoscope. One patient developed laryngospasm and required tracheal intubation.