The use of the laryngeal mask airway in children with subglottic stenosis.

Patients with tracheal stenosis have a high incidence of difficult or failed tracheal intubation. Airway management with the laryngeal mask airway during fibreoptic laryngoscopy was used in two children with acquired subglottic stenosis during spontaneous breathing. The laryngeal mask airway may be superior to tracheal intubation or use of a face mask during anaesthesia management in severe subglottic stenosis. Ventilation may be improved and the use of a laryngeal mask airway can reduce or eliminate some of the problems associated with the other methods of airway management, such as further damage to stenotic tissue and gastric distention.