This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit a scholarly reply Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Howath, A. Articles by Kihara, S. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Howath, A. Articles by Kihara, S.

Gum elastic bougie-guided placement of the ProSeal^TM laryngeal mask

¹ Cairns, Australia
² Innsbruck, Austria
³ Ibaraki, Japan

To the Editor:

We report the use of a gum elastic bougie (GEB) to facilitate placement of the ProSeal^TM laryngeal mask airway (PLMA).

After inducing anesthesia in a 45-yr-old male for elective orthopedic surgery, a size 5 PLMA was inserted using the digital technique with a midline approach; however, insertion failed because the tip collided with the glottic inlet, as evidenced by complete airway obstruction, air leakage up the drainage tube and excess protrusion of the bite block from the mouth. A second attempt using the digital technique with a lateral approach also resulted in glottic impaction. For the third attempt, a 16 FG well-lubricated GEB (Eschmann tracheal tube introducer, SIMS Portex Limited, UK) was threaded down the drainage tube with the curved end proximally (Figure). Under laryngoscope-guidance, the distal end the GEB was fed into the esophagus. The laryngoscope was then removed and the PLMA railroaded into position using the digital technique with a midline approach. On this occasion, ventilation was easy with no air leakage and the bite block was correctly located between the teeth. The GEB was removed whilst holding the PLMA. Subsequent passage of a gastric tube was easy.

View larger version (33K): [in this window] [in a new window]   FIGURE ProsealTM laryngeal mask airway with gum elastic bougie protruding from both ends of the drainage tube.

Reference

1 Drolet P, Girard M. An aid to correct positioning of the ProSeal laryngeal mask (Letter). Can J Anesth 2001; 48: 718–9.[Free Full Text]

This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit a scholarly reply Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Howath, A. Articles by Kihara, S. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Howath, A. Articles by Kihara, S.