[Experience with 100 anesthetized patients ventilated with laryngeal mask]

We studied 100 adult patients who were anesthetized for different surgical procedures and were ventilated with laryngeal mask either with spontaneous or controlled ventilation. Despite of the inexperience we achieved an appropriate placement of the mask in 99% of cases; 74% at the first attempt, 22% at the second, and 4% at the third. In 87.8% of patients we had an adequate control of the air way. In 12.2% of cases there were problems in relation to the controlled ventilation. In one patient we were unable to correctly place the mask and another anesthetic technique had to be performed. Laryngeal mask is useful in the control of the air way in anesthetized patients with spontaneous ventilation. Some inconvenience may arise when controlled ventilation is used.