Even though it is called the "routine-use" LMA™ airway, it has been used successfully in many urgent and emergency situations, including difficult airways and adult and neonatal resuscitation. The LMA Classic™ owes its success in resuscitation to the ease with which clinicians learn to use the device and long term retention of that learning even if the device is used infrequently. The LMA Classic™is also available in a disposable version called the LMA Unique™.
Clinicians have successfully used the LMA Classic™ as a conduit for tracheal intubation, especially in the difficult airway situation. Because it was not designed specifically for intubation, the success rates for blind intubation are variable. Therefore, if intubation through the LMA Classic™ is performed, using a fiberoptic scope will increase the likelihood of successful intubation. Ideally, the intubating LMA Fastrach™ should be considered as the best option for blind intubation or the LMA CTrach™ for real time visualization of the intubation.
There are nearly 2,000 publications on the LMA Classic™. For additional reading, the following articles are recommended and are available as reprints through Customer Service.
Asai T, Howell T K, Koga K, Morris S (1998) Appropriate Size and Inflation of the Laryngeal Mask Airway. British Journal of Anaesthesia 80 : 470-474
Benumof J L (1996) Laryngeal Mask Airway and the ASA Difficult Airway Algorithm. Anesthesiology 84, 3 : 686-699
Macario A, Chang P C, Stempel D B, Brock-Utne J G (1995) A Cost Analysis of the Laryngeal Mask Airway for Elective Surgery in Adult Outpatients. Anesthesiology 83 : 250-257
Pollack, C V (2001) The Laryngeal Mask Airway: A Comprehensive Review for the Emergency Physician. The Journal of Emergency Medicine 20, 1 : 53-66
Verghese C, Brimacombe J (1996) Survey of Laryngeal Mask Airway Usage in 11,910 Patients: Safety and Efficacy for Conventional and Nonconventional Usage. Anesthesia & Analgesia 82 : 129-133