Aperture bars designed to prevent the blockage of the airway by the epiglottis
Increased speed and ease of placement by inexperienced personnel;
Increased speed of placement by anaesthetists;
Improved haemodynamic stability at induction and during emergence;
Minimal increase in intraocular pressure following insertion;
Reduced anaesthetic requirements for airway tolerance;
Lower frequency of coughing during emergence;
Improved oxygen saturation during emergence;
Lower incidence of sore throat in adults.
The aperture bars in the dome of the mask lift the epiglottis away, so the lumen remains unobstructive. The LMA forms a low pressure seal around the larynx. The LMA is contraindicated in any situation where the patient is at risk for pulmonary aspiration.