Severe neck burns and laryngeal mask airway for frequent general anesthetics

Securing the airways in a patient suffering severe neck burns or its sequalae may present a challenge to the most experienced anesthesiologist. We investigate the utility of the Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA) in this situation. We report on success, failure of complications of LMA insertion at the induction of general anesthesia in 23 patients of a Major Burns Unit and compare our results to our records of patients intubated endotracheally in the Unit. 14 out of 15 patients with neck burns had a LMA inserted with no difficulty or complications, while difficult endotracheal intubations in patients with neck burns were more frequent with statistical significance compared to patients with intact necks. LMA insertion seems to ignore the difficulties met with endotracheal intubation in this context.