The ProSealTM laryngeal mask airway (PLMA) insertion using a gum-elastic bougie placed in the oesophagus as a guide has a high first-attempt success rate ( 99%) and a potential role in difficult airway management [1]. On those occasions when it fails, the aetiology is usually laryngospasm, severe epiglottic downfolding, glottic/supraglottic compression or cuff infolding [2]. Most of these probl...

With great interest, we read the recent article by Ekinci et al1 comparing the performance of ProSeal laryngeal mask airway (PLMA) and I-gel in anesthetized adult patients. They showed that insertion was easier, insertion time was shorter, success rate of nasogastric tube insertion was higher, and complications were fewer with the I-gel compared to the PLMA. However, we note other issues of thi...

Supraglottic airways are an established part of routine and emergency pediatric airway management, including use in difficult airways and neonatal resuscitation. With the introduction of newer supraglottic airways in children, efficacy can only be determined by comparing these devices with those that are already well established (laryngeal mask airway Classic and laryngeal mask airway ProSeal)....

a review of the literature. Can J Anaesth 2005; 52: 739–60 7 Brimacombe J, Keller C, Judd DV. Gum elastic bougie-guided insertion of the ProSeal laryngeal mask airway is superior to the digital and introducer tool techniques. Anesthesiology 2004; 100: 25–9 8 Craven RM, Laver SR, Cook TM, Nolan JP. Use of the Pro-Seal LMA facilitates percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy. Can J Anaesth 2003; 50...

We describe a patient at 20-22 weeks gestation, with a known difficult airway, who underwent eight sessions of electroconvulsive therapy using the ProSeal laryngeal mask airway and controlled ventilation. The airway management options for brief periods of general anaesthesia in patients with increased gastric volume are discussed.

Children with congenital anomalies such as Goldenhar syndrome affecting the airway can be a problem for the anaesthesiologist. We present the case of an 18 month-old child with Goldenhar syndrome, in whom the ProSeal Laryngeal Mask Airway was successfully used for inguinal hernia surgery.

The laryngeal tube (VBM Medizintechnik, Sulz, Germany) is a relatively new extraglottic airway, designed to secure a patent airway during either spontaneous breathing or controlled ventilation. In this review article, we have assessed the potential role of the laryngeal tube during anaesthesia and during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. There are four variations of the laryngeal tube: standard la...