The laryngeal tube

• Published in: British journal of anaesthesia : BJA Vol. 95; no. 6; pp. 729 - 736
• Main Authors: Asai, T., Shingu, K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2005; Oxford University Press; Oxford Publishing Limited (England)
• Subjects: airway; Anesthesia; Anesthesia, General - instrumentation; Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation - instrumentation; complications; complications, difficult intubation; Device Removal - methods; difficult intubation; Disposable Equipment; Equipment Design; equipment, laryngeal tube; Humans; Intubation, Intratracheal - adverse effects; Intubation, Intratracheal - instrumentation; Intubation, Intratracheal - methods; laryngeal tube; Medical sciences; Europe; Germany; complications, difficult intubation; airway; equipment, laryngeal tube; Human; Disposable; Mask; Spontaneous ventilation; Incidence; laryngeal tube; difficult intubation; equipment; Anesthesia; Complication; Intubation; airway; complications; Child; Resuscitation
• DOI: 10.1093/bja/aei269
• ISSN: 0007-0912

The laryngeal tube (VBM Medizintechnik, Sulz, Germany) is a relatively new extraglottic airway, designed to secure a patent airway during either spontaneous breathing or controlled ventilation. In this review article, we have assessed the potential role of the laryngeal tube during anaesthesia and during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. There are four variations of the laryngeal tube: standard laryngeal tube, disposable laryngeal tube, laryngeal tube-Suction II and disposable laryngeal tube-Suction II. The design of the device has been revised several times. Insertion of the standard laryngeal tube is as easy as with the laryngeal mask airway classic. The laryngeal tube may provide a better sealing effect than the laryngeal mask. The incidence of complications with the two devices is similar, although the laryngeal tube may require more re-adjustments of its position to obtain a clear airway. Compared with the ProSeal™ laryngeal mask, the laryngeal tube may be less effective. The efficacy of the standard laryngeal tube is unclear, particularly in patients breathing spontaneously or in children. The efficacy of the laryngeal tube Suction-II and disposable devices is also not clear. From the limited number of studies and reports available, it can be concluded that the laryngeal tube is potentially useful in maintaining a clear airway during anaesthesia and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. In addition, the device may be useful as an aid to tracheal intubation.