Anesthetic management of patients with tracheal stenosis for endoscopic treatment: usefulness of laryngeal mask airway

We report two cases of tracheal stenosis for endoscopic treatment under general anesthesia with laryngeal mask airway. The tracheal stenosis of the two patients was so close to the glottis that endotracheal tube could not be inserted, and laryngeal mask airway was beneficial for maintaining airway and obtaining operating field. During the procedure, patients breathed spontaneously and we could support their ventilation easily and sufficiently. Endoscopic treatment of the airway obstruction by Nd-YAG laser associated with balloon dilatation and stent is an effective method of relieving the distressing symptom of asphylaxia, and laryngeal mask airway is considered to be useful for performing successful endoscopic procedure.