Laryngeal mask airway used as a delivery conduit for the administration of surfactant to preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome.

Background: The laryngeal mask airway (LMA(TM), Laryngeal Mask Co. Ltd, Jersey, UK) is a supraglottic device used to administer positive pressure ventilation (PPV) in adults, pediatric and neonatal patients.

Objectives: To avoid endotracheal intubation, we evaluated the feasibility and practicality of administering surfactant via the LMA(TM) in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).

Laryngeal mask airway for the interhospital transport of neonates.

Airway control during interhospital transport may present enormous management difficulties, even for experienced personnel. The laryngeal mask airway is an airway management device that has been established as a safe reliable tool in adult and pediatric practice. We describe 2 cases of successful interhospital transfer of infants with congenital airway malformations with the use of the laryngeal mask airway, and we review the literature.