Supraglottic airway devices.

Supraglottic airway devices are developed with increasing frequency following the overwhelming success of the laryngeal mask airway (LMA). Currently, the LMA, the ProSeal laryngeal mask airway (PLMA), the laryngeal tube (LT), the laryngeal tube with integrated suctioning tube (LTS) and the oesophageal tracheal combitube (OTC) are the best evaluated and most widespread devices. Both the LMA and the PLMA have been shown to be perfectly suitable for routine anaesthesia and emergency airway management. While the LMA is limited by the lack of reliable protection against aspiration, the value of the PLMA in this respect remains undetermined yet. LT and LTS are primarily intended as emergency airway devices, but have also been successfully used during controlled ventilation in adults. The OTC, though advocated for emergency as well as routine use, is limited by high airway morbidity and possible serious complications.