Laryngeal mask airway (LMA-ProSealTM) malfunction causing acute airway obstruction
Binu Puthur SIMON and Syed Harun HABIBULLAH
Department of Anaesthesiology, RIPAS Hospital, Brunei Darussalam
ABSTRACT
The Laryngeal Mask Airway ProSealTM (LMA-ProSealTM; Laryngeal Mask Company Limited) is a reusable supraglottic airway device developed to enhance supraglottic airway protection and extend the benefits of the classic LMA (Laryngeal Mask Airway) to greater number of patients. Added features include an additional drain tube to channel fluid away from the airway and a tighter seal against the glottic opening with no increase in mucosal pressure. Clinicians have extended the use of the LMA-ProSealTM inside and outside the operating theatre including use for difficult airway management and airway rescue. However, even these new devices have their limitations. We report an unforeseen acute airway obstruction caused by LMA-ProSealTM malfunction during ophthalmic surgery. The cuff of the device was deformed with herniation to one side upon insufflation of the balloon.
Keywords: Laryngeal mask airway, malfunction, complications, LMA-ProSeal infarction, percutaneous coronary intervention, stent, thrombosis
Correspondence author: Binu Puthur SIMON, Department Of Anaesthesiology, RIPAS Hospital, Bandar Seri Begawan BA 1710, Brunei Darussalam. E mail: binupsimon@yahoo.com
Brunei Int Med J. 2012; 8 (4): 205-209