[Laryngeal mask--a newly designed oral airway]

A newly developed oral airway, laryngeal mask (LM), was used in 40 patients by anesthesiologists of varied clinical experiences. Clear airway was obtained in 37 patients (92.5%). There were 3 patients in whom it was difficult to establish clear airway, probably because of inappropriate fitting of mask to larynx or of folding of epiglottis. Controlled or assisted ventilation was performed adequately in most of the patients, but there was recognizable gas leak in 13 patients when the airway pressure was above 15 cmH2O. The LM has many attractive features compared with a traditional face mask, and some of the promising clinical applications of LM are discussed.