The laryngeal mask--Liège experience

The laryngeal mask (LM), a recently commercialized device, provides a totally patent airway when positioned in the hypopharynx. The major advantages of the LM are its ease of insertion, the absence of contact with the vocal cords, and the fact that if frees the hands of the anesthesiologist. Contraindications to its use result from its failure to seal the airway against regurgitation of gastric content. After reviewing the modalities of using the LM, we describe the Liège experience with it. Over two months, 107 anesthetics were administered with the LM, 80 with spontaneous respiration, 22 with controlled ventilation and 5 where the ventilatory mode was changed intraoperatively. 84% of LM were inserted on the first attempt, 14% on the second. The use of the LM was unsuccessful three times. Only 13% of patients complained of mild pharyngeal discomfort postoperatively. We conclude that this device is reliable, easy to use, and causes minimal postoperative problems. Its use, for both spontaneous and controlled ventilation, is increasing in our hospital.