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Abstract
The intubating laryngeal mask airway (ILM) was introduced in 1997 as a modification
of the classic laryngeal mask airway. In addition to serving as an elective or emergency
ventilating device, it is designed to allow blind intubation. We report 3 cases of
airway management in the emergency department of Yale-New Haven Hospital where the
ILM was used to establish ventilation and intubation in patients in whom direct laryngoscopy
had failed. The 3 cases are representative of situations commonly seen in the ED:
the obtunded and apneic ("crash airway") patient, failed rapid sequence intubation,
and the recognized difficult airway/awake intubation. In all 3 cases, a clear airway
was established on initial placement of the ILM, and intubation was achieved on the
first attempt at blind advancement of the endotracheal tube. Although the ILM may
be an important addition to the armamentarium of the emergency physician, proficiency
in its use requires practice under controlled conditions. We suggest that the emergency
physician seek out elective practice in either a teaching workshop or hospital operating
theater.