The laryngeal mask airway. Its uses in anesthesiology.

The LMA is a useful airway device for most adult and pediatric patients. It is easy and atraumatic to insert, with minimal somatic and autonomic responses from the patient. It is a suitable alternative to the face mask and to tracheal intubation in a wide variety of clinical situations. In addition, the LMA facilitates blind and fiberoptic techniques of intubation, but its role in the emergency scenario has yet to be established. The preliminary experience gained with this device in Europe and Australasia suggests that it may also transform contemporary anesthetic practice in the United States.