Failed ventilation with LMA Proseal [registered sign] in a patient with sleep apnea syndrome

ABSTRACT

Patients with sleep apnea syndrome [SAS] have excessive adipose tissue in oropharynx which can obstruct the airway. A high prevalence of difficult intubation has been reported in these patients and an association between the severity of SAS and difficult intubation has been suggested. LMA Proseal[registered sign] [LMA Company, USA] has been launched as a better alternative to LMA classic, as it provides good airway seal due to its modified cuff. The improved seal of LMA Proseal[registered sign] [PLMA[registered sign]] has an advantage in obese patients where higher airway pressures are required for positive pressure ventilation. We found that LMA Classic[registered sign] provided better airway management than PLMA[registered sign] in one of our obese patients with SAS