Laryngeal mask airway and fibre-optic tracheal inspection in thyroid surgery: a method for timely identification of tracheomalacia requiring tracheostomy.

Use of the laryngeal mask airway combined with fibre-optic laryngoscopy in thyroid surgery was first described in 1991. In this unit, it has been successfully used in over 130 cases. The advantages in identification and preservation of the recurrent laryngeal nerves using this technique have been demonstrated. However, to date, no report exists of a further advantage, namely the management of tracheomalacia.