• Tim M Cook, Tony S Brooks, Joreline Van der Westhuizen, and Michael Clarke.
• Department of Anaesthesia, Royal United Hospital, Combe Park, Bath, United Kingdom. timcook@ukgateway.net
• Can J Anaesth. 2005 Jun 1; 52 (6): 630-3.

PurposeWe report two cases where the ProSeal laryngeal mask airway (PLMA) was successfully used as a rescue device, after failed tracheal intubation, during rapid sequence induction.Clinical FindingsThe first case involved a 31-yr-old primigravida presenting for emergency Cesarean section for severe fetal distress. She had a grade 3 larynx and airway edema was observed during laryngoscopy. Attempts with a McCoy blade and gum elastic bougie failed to secure the airway. A size 4 PLMA was inserted with good airway control and surgery proceeded uneventfully. The second case involved a 51-yr-old man presenting for appendectomy. Following failed attempts at intubation, a size 5 PLMA was successful in securing his airway and surgery proceeded uneventfully.ConclusionsThe correctly placed PLMA has potential advantages over the cLMA for airway rescue in the circumstance of failed emergency intubation in a patient with a potentially full stomach. In the two cases reported, the PLMA provided effective rescue of the airway.

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