UPPER AIRWAY COMPLICATIONS AND INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE CHANGES FOLLOWING GENERAL ANAESTHESIA FOR CATARACT SURGERY WITH LARYNGEAL MASK AIRWAY: COMPARISON OF REMOVAL IN DEEPLY ANAESTHETISED VERSUS AWAKE PATIENTS

Abstract

LMA is the development of a relatively new concept in atrway management. It appears to be relatively simple and safe to use across wide range of surgical specialties for spontaneously breathing patients including ophthalmic surgery. The beauty of LMA is that, it avoids the need of laryngoscopy, causes less coughing, straining, and attenuated pressor response during insertion and removal so ocular stress responses is avoided.

The LMA may be removed while the patients are deeply anaesthetised m the operating room. However, many anaesthetists prefer to leave the LMA in situ until the patient is awake as this helps to maintain a clear airway until protective reflexes return.