critical care medicine
How To Insert a Laryngeal Mask Airway
Additional Considerations for Laryngeal Mask Airway Insertion
The inflatable cuff around the rim of the mask forms a low-pressure seal around the laryngeal inlet that allows positive pressure ventilation. Use low-pressure ventilation with a LMA to prevent air from escaping the low-pressure seal and causing gastric insufflation. If the seal is inadequate, lower the cuff pressure somewhat. If this approach does not work, a larger mask size should be tried. Overinflation of the cuff will make a poor seal worse. LMAs do not protect the airway from aspiration. However, some types of LMA feature improved laryngeal seals as well as ports for insertion of gastric decompression tubes. 