ADVANTAGES OF LARYNGEAL MASK AIRWAY USED DURING PROBING IN CHILDREN


Authors: Krasina Valcheva
Keywords: congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction, laryngeal mask airway, syringing and probing

Abstract:
Purpose: To assess the anesthetic risk and benefits of using laryngeal mask airway during probing in patients with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO).
Materials and methods: A prospective study was conducted on 52 eyes of 40 children with CNLDO. All of them underwent “blind” probing according to a standard methodology under general anesthesia with the use of laryngeal mask airway (LMA) in the Ophthalmology Clinic of the University Hospital in Pleven. Checking the patency of the drainage system after probing was done with the method “metal to metal” and irrigation of physiology solution. The postoperative result after probing was established on the third month after the procedure.
Results: There were no anesthetic problems in the operated children related to the use of LMA. Pulmonary aspiration or bradycardia due to syringing of the lacrimal drainage system, were not observed in any of our patients. We found intraoperatively successful results in 43 (82.7%) eyes and unsuccessful in 9 (17.3%). The postoperative outcome was 49 (94.2%) resolved eyes and 3 (5.8%) with failure.
Conclusion: The use of laryngeal mask airway is a safe way to deliver general anesthesia during probing. It allows the surgeon to perform the procedure in a way that predicts its success rate.
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