Role of laryngeal mask airway in interventional bronchoscopy procedures for upper tracheal stenosis: case series.

BACKGROUND Bronchoscopic interventional procedures are novel means of treating airway lesions which are less invasive and well tolerated for patients with endo-luminal lesions, but managing the airway and oxygenating the patient in a field that is shared by both anesthesiologist and bronchoscopist is a major concern. Also in cases with subglottic and upper tracheal stenotic lesions an airway device placed inside the lumen interferes with the procedure and occasionally bears the hazard of ignition. Therefore, an airway device placing above the glottis with effective oxygenation is required. Laryngeal mask airway is a supra-glottic device which facilitates assisted or spontaneous positive pressure ventilation. METHODS In this study, eight patients with subglottic stenoses due to different etiologies are presented who underwent fiberoptic bronchoscopy and therapeutic interventions through laryngeal mask. RESULTS In all these patients, we experienced simple access to the vocal cord, glottis and trachea and also the lesion, besides effective oxygenation of the patient. Furthermore, bronchoscopist and patients were both comfortable with the procedures. CONCLUSION Laryngeal mask airway could be regarded as a reliable alternative for airway management during interventional bronchoscopic procedures, especially when they are located near the glottis or in the upper third of the trachea.