Prolonged Use of the Laryngeal Mask Airway ProSealTM: a Report of Seven Cases Lasting 5-11 Hours

There is controversy concerning use of the classic laryngeal mask airway (LMA ClassicTM) for prolonged procedures, particularly over 2 hours, as some clinicians consider it unsuitable for positive pressure ventilation (needed to counter the alleged progressive respiratory fatigue with time) and/or unsuitable for airway protection (needed to counter the alleged progressive increase in aspiration risk with time). The LMA ProSealTM is a laryngeal mask device with a modified cuff to facilitate ventilation and a drain tube to provide airway protection. In principle, the LMA ProSealTM should be more suitable than the LMA ClassicTM for prolonged procedures; however, there are only four reports and one case series.