Security and effectiveness of the laryngeal mask airway in the tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy: A systematic review of literature

Summary Background: The laryngeal mask airway is a me-dical device that must be used with precise indica-tions and contraindications. Its use in tonsillecto-mies and adenoidectomies has been reported to ge-nerate controversy. Through the present study an attempt is made to evaluate the effectiveness and the security of the laryngeal mask airway in tonsi-llectomies and adenoidectomies. Methods: A syste-matic review. Results: 16 studies were obtained as a result of the systematic search of the published evidence. They were analyzed with methodological rigor and the following results were obtained: The flexible laryngeal mask airway brings about fewer respiratory adverse effects during the induction and the emergence of anesthesia than the endotra-cheal tube. It is effective in preventing sanguineous bronchoaspiration during surgery. Furthermore, it must be used by trained personnel and in colla-boration with the surgeon to avoid adverse events 1 Primer puesto Concurso Juan Marin – XXVIII Congreso Colombiano de Anestesiologia. Camino a la excelencia, marzo 2009, Bogota.1 First Prize, Juan Marin Competition, XXVIII Colombian Congress of Anesthesiology, March 2009, Bogota, Colombia.* MD. Especialista y docente de anestesiologia. Universidad de Caldas. Especialista en docencia universitaria. Universidad Catolica. Manizales, Colombia. E-mail: lagomezco@yahoo.com** MD. Especialista y docente de anestesiologia. Universidad de Caldas. Especialista en docencia universitaria. Universidad Catolica de Manizales, Colombia.*** MD. Especialista en anestesiologia. Universidad de Caldas. Anestesiologo Hospital Infantil de la Cruz Roja. Manizales, Colombia.**** MD. Estudiante de tercer ano del postgrado en anestesiologia. Universidad de Caldas. Manizales, Colombia.