Implications for Clinical Practice

 

 

Notice: Implications for Clinical Practice are the personal views of the authors.

 

 

The new video laryngoscopy-assisted and gastric tube-guided insertion technique for the ProSeal Laryngeal Mask Airway (PLMA) is reliable with a high success rate at the first attempt; instead of the video laryngoscope, also a standard Macintosh laryngoscope may be used for guidance of the gastric tube. Improved ventilation and increased airway protection may extend the use of the PLMA into areas where supraglottic airway devices are not routinely used. These include lower abdominal laparoscopy, surgery in obese patients, and in those with gastroesophageal reflux disease. The PLMA may also be used as backup device in situations of failed tracheal intubation (including failures after rapid-sequence induction or in emergency situations) and/or difficult/impossible face-mask ventilation. The PLMA offers an airway that bridges the gap between the standard larngeal mask airway and the tracheal tube.