a review of the literature. Can J Anaesth 2005; 52: 739–60 7 Brimacombe J, Keller C, Judd DV. Gum elastic bougie-guided insertion of the ProSeal laryngeal mask airway is superior to the digital and introducer tool techniques. Anesthesiology 2004; 100: 25–9 8 Craven RM, Laver SR, Cook TM, Nolan JP. Use of the Pro-Seal LMA facilitates percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy. Can J Anaesth 2003; 50...

BACKGROUND Both propofol infusions with oxygen delivered through nasal cannula and isoflurane/N2O (nitrous oxide) delivered via a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) are used to provide anesthesia for children undergoing magnetic resonance imaging scans. We compared the incidence of adverse events and perioperative physiologic responses in children anesthetized with these 2 regimens. METHODS One hund...

We describe a new technique for removing anterior vocal fold lesions, which cannot be visualized with conventional suspension laryngoscopy. These situations are rare and the only alternative surgeons have had previously is an open laryngeal procedure. The technique we describe involves the use of a laryngeal mask airway (LMA), a flexible bronchoscope with biopsy channel, a 400 microm laser fibr...

BACKGROUND In patients breathing spontaneously during anaesthesia, expiration is active and opioids enhance this effect. The mechanical consequences are not well characterized. METHODS We studied 14 patients undergoing laparoscopy for minor gynaecological procedures, anaesthetized with isoflurane in nitrous oxide, and breathing spontaneously through a laryngeal mask airway. We made direct rec...

BACKGROUND Measurement of the balance between nociception and anti-nociception during anaesthesia is challenging and not yet clinically established. The Surgical pleth index (SPI), derived from photoplethysmography, was proposed as a surrogate measure of nociception. Recently, the analgesia nociception index (ANI) derived by heart rate (HR) variability was developed. The aim of the present stud...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The size of the ProSeal laryngeal mask airway in children is determined by the patient's weight. However, in some instances, an alternative method may be required. This study aimed to compare sizing by the auricle with conventional ProSeal laryngeal mask airway sizing by weight in children. METHODS After approval by the institutional ethics board and written informed...

This is a case presentation of a patient with a large anterior mediastinal mass in whom the airway was maintained with a laryngeal mask airway. The patient was otherwise managed in the "classic" fashion with spontaneous respiration via a light general anesthetic. In reviewing many of the potential pitfalls of anesthesia in this class of patients, the laryngeal mask airway was found to be both a...

BACKGROUND Satisfaction is considered a valuable measure of outcome of healthcare processes. Only a few anesthesia-related validated questionnaires are reported. Because their scope is restricted to specific clinical contexts, their use remains limited. The objective of the current study was to develop and validate a self-reported questionnaire, Evaluation du Vecu de l'Anesthesie Generale (EVAN...

We have examined the differences in ventilatory characteristics between halothane and sevoflurane when used for adult vital capacity induction of anaesthesia. The study was conducted in a randomized, double-blind manner. After 13 patients had been enrolled, the study was curtailed because the blinded observer thought that there was an unacceptably high incidence of adverse events. After the ran...

IMPLICATIONS Two patients experienced partial upper airway obstruction while breathing spontaneously with the ProSeal laryngeal mask airway. This resulted in esophageal aspiration of air through the drain tube.