The laryngeal mask airway: a review for the emergency physician

The laryngeal mask airway has recently been released as a adjunct to airway management. It has gained widespread acceptance as an alternative to the face mask for the provision of general anesthesia. The LMA is available in various sizes for use in every age and weight patient (Table 1). Each LMA costs roughly $200, but they can be sterilized and reused numerous times. The skills required for its successful use can be easily learned, and successful placement can be expected in up to 90% of cases with little or no practice. While it is used frequently in the operating room as a replacement for the anesthesia mask, its role outside of the operating room may include an adjunct in the management of the difficult airway. In this setting it may be used as a guide to blind endotracheal intubation or for fiberoptic-guided intubation. More importantly, it may be life-saving in the cannot intubate/cannot ventilate scenario.