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Improved position for the flexible laryngeal mask
British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (2005) 43, 256—257
TECHNICAL NOTE
Improved position for the flexible laryngeal mask Caroline Harvey a,∗, Andrey Varvinski b, Manuel Blanco-Guzman a a
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Level 2, Torbay Hospital, Lawes Bridge, Torbay, Devon TQ2 7AA, UK b Department of Anaesthetics, Torbay Hospital, Lawes Bridge, Torbay Hospital, Lawes Bridge, Torbay, Devon TQ2 7AA, UK Accepted 14 November 2004 Available online 26 January 2005
We have adopted a way of positioning and securing the flexible laryngeal mask that maximises the surgical access and minimises the risk of dislodging it. We have used this technique successfully in over 100 day case operations. Once inserted, the LMA should be positioned in the mid-line facing upwards over the nose. The catheter mount should be connected to the LMA before the filter is connected to prevent the filter pressing on the forehead. The LMA is then connected to the anaesthetic circuit and secured to the forehead and nose. Before securing the tube with tape, we advise padding to protect the nose
and forehead from pressure at any points of contact (Fig. 1). Once secured in this way, the LMA is protected beneath the head-towels and a full range of mandibular movements are possible without restriction and without the risk of dislodging the LMA. Access to the surgical field is substantially increased, insertion of the mouth-prop is not interfered with, positioning of the tongue-retractor is made easier and it is not necessary to move the LMA when operating on both sides at the back of the mouth.
* Corresponding author. Tel.: +44 7752 515187.
E-mail address: [email protected] (C. Harvey).
0266-4356/$ — see front matter © 2004 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.bjoms.2004.11.021
Improved position for the flexible laryngeal mask
257
Figure 1 The reinforced flexible LMA is positioned and secured in an upward direction which maximises surgical access to the oral cavity.
TECHNICAL NOTE
Improved position for the flexible laryngeal mask Caroline Harvey a,∗, Andrey Varvinski b, Manuel Blanco-Guzman a a
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Level 2, Torbay Hospital, Lawes Bridge, Torbay, Devon TQ2 7AA, UK b Department of Anaesthetics, Torbay Hospital, Lawes Bridge, Torbay Hospital, Lawes Bridge, Torbay, Devon TQ2 7AA, UK Accepted 14 November 2004 Available online 26 January 2005
We have adopted a way of positioning and securing the flexible laryngeal mask that maximises the surgical access and minimises the risk of dislodging it. We have used this technique successfully in over 100 day case operations. Once inserted, the LMA should be positioned in the mid-line facing upwards over the nose. The catheter mount should be connected to the LMA before the filter is connected to prevent the filter pressing on the forehead. The LMA is then connected to the anaesthetic circuit and secured to the forehead and nose. Before securing the tube with tape, we advise padding to protect the nose
and forehead from pressure at any points of contact (Fig. 1). Once secured in this way, the LMA is protected beneath the head-towels and a full range of mandibular movements are possible without restriction and without the risk of dislodging the LMA. Access to the surgical field is substantially increased, insertion of the mouth-prop is not interfered with, positioning of the tongue-retractor is made easier and it is not necessary to move the LMA when operating on both sides at the back of the mouth.
* Corresponding author. Tel.: +44 7752 515187.
E-mail address: [email protected] (C. Harvey).
0266-4356/$ — see front matter © 2004 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.bjoms.2004.11.021
Improved position for the flexible laryngeal mask
257
Figure 1 The reinforced flexible LMA is positioned and secured in an upward direction which maximises surgical access to the oral cavity.