Is There a Risk of Aspiration in the Larynx?

Dr. Chris Di Capua and Dr. Bryan Glezerson (@BryanGlezerson) join the show to discuss the literature around the risk of aspiration with LMAs compared to ETTs.

This is part I of a two-part series on LMAs. In part II, we discuss the safety of LMAs in specific patient populations including patients receiving positive pressure ventilation, patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery, obese patients, and pregnant patients.

This is an episode produced from the Depth of Anesthesia Podcast Elective that's available to MGH anesthesia residents. Special thanks to Dr. Saddawi-Konefka for supporting the initiative.

Thanks for listening!

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Music by Stephen Campbell, MD.

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References

Barker P, Langton JA, Murphy PJ, Rowbotham DJ: Regurgitation of gastric contents during general anesthesia using the laryngeal mask airway. Br J Anaesth 1992; 69:314-5.

Rabey PG, Murphy PJ, Langton JA, Barker P, Rowbotham DJ. Effect of the laryngeal mask airway on lower oesophage al sphincter pressure in patients during general anaesthesia. Br J Anaesth. 1992 Oct;69(4):346-8. doi: 10.1093/bja/69.4.346. PMID: 1419440.

Owens TM, Robertson P, Twomey C, Doyle M, McDonald N, McShane AJ. The incidence of gastroesophageal reflux with the laryngeal mask: a comparison with the face mask using esophageal lumen pH electrodes. Anesth Analg. 1995 May;80(5):980-4. doi: 10.1097/00000539-199505000-00022. PMID: 7726443.

Bercker S, Schmidbauer W, Volk T, Bogusch G, Bubser HP, Hensel M, Kerner T. A comparison of seal in seven supraglottic airway devices using a cadaver model of elevated esophageal pressure. Anesth Analg. 2008 Feb;106(2):445-8, table of contents. doi: 10.1213/ane.0b013e3181602ae1. PMID: 18227299.

Brimacombe JR, Berry A. The incidence of aspiration associated with the laryngeal mask airway: a meta-analysis of published literature. J Clin Anesth. 1995 Jun;7(4):297-305. doi: 10.1016/0952-8180(95)00026-e. PMID: 7546756.

Xu R, Lian Y, Li WX. Airway Complications during and after General Anesthesia: A Comparison, Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Using Flexible Laryngeal Mask Airways and Endotracheal Tubes. PLoS One. 2016 Jul 14;11(7):e0158137. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0158137. PMID: 27414807; PMCID: PMC4944923.