| Abstract: | The laryngeal mask airway has a well established place in routine anaesthetic practice. Its potential role in emergency medicine is hampered by its failure to protect the airway from aspiration and to form a high pressure seal for controlled ventilation but supported by its ease of placement. This review discusses the uses of the laryngeal mask airway in the emergency situation. The laryngeal mask airway has a role as an alternative to the face mask in resuscitation. It has roles as an alternative airway when intubation has failed and as an aid to difficult intubation. In the prehospital setting, an additional specific indication for its use may be when access to a patient is limited making tracheal intubation impossible. Two recent modifications of the laryngeal mask airway are described. The intubating laryngeal mask airway is specifically designed for the difficult airway and the disposable laryngeal mask airway (Unique?) is undergoing trials in the UK for use by paramedical staff. The potential use of the intubating laryngeal mask airway in the emergency setting is discussed. |
