• K Goldmann and C Jakob.
• Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Therapy, Philipps University Marburg, 35033 Marburg, Germany.
• Br J Anaesth. 2005 Mar 1;94(3):385-9.

BackgroundOne of the main concerns with the use of the standard laryngeal mask airway (SLMA) in small infants is that its low-pressure seal might be inadequate for positive pressure ventilation so that there is a risk of gas leakage into the stomach with the subsequent risk of regurgitation. The new ProSeal LMA (PLMA) has been shown to form a more effective seal than the SLMA and to facilitate gastric tube placement in adults. The first paediatric size PLMA became available recently.MethodsThirty anaesthetized, non-paralysed children aged 46 (19) months, weighing 16 (10-21) kg, were studied. The SLMA and PLMA were inserted in random order into each patient. Airway leak pressure and maximum tidal volume were measured. Ease of insertion, quality of initial airway and fibreoptic position were also determined. Gastric tube placement was assessed for the PLMA.ResultsThe airway leak pressure and maximum tidal volume were significantly higher for the PLMA (P=0.001). Ease of insertion and quality of initial airway were similar for both devices. Air entry into the stomach occurred more frequently with the SLMA (P=0.005). Gastric tube placement was possible in all patients.ConclusionsThe size 2 PLMA offered some advantages over the same size of SLMA in this crossover investigation. The high reliability of gastric tube placement and the significantly increased airway leak pressure might have important implications for use of this device for positive pressure ventilation in infants.

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