Risk of Complications Using Laryngeal Mask Airway versus Endotracheal Tube During General Anesthesia in Pediatric Patients with Upper Respiratory Infections: A Narrative Review. Creation of the Upper Respiratory Infection Screening Tool© and Management Al
Abstract
The inflammatory process that occurs in an upper respiratory
infection poses an increased risk of complications for children
undergoing general anesthesia for a surgical procedure. The anesthesia
providers need to decide which airway device, laryngeal
mask airways or endotracheal tubes, is most appropriate and has
less risk of adverse respiratory complications. A literature search
was completed using EMBASE, Cumulative Index to Nursing
and Allied Health Literature, and the Cochrane Library. Ten
articles were found comparing the use of laryngeal mask airways
and endotracheal tubes in children with upper respiratory infections.
Synthesis of the literature concluded that laryngeal mask
airways have a decreased risk of complications compared to
endotracheal tubes when used in children with recent or current
upper respiratory infections. With this information, the use of
a laryngeal mask airway should be considered in place of an
Volume 2, No. 1 13
endotracheal tube. The Upper Respiratory Infection Screening
Tool© and the Management Algorithm for Children Presenting
for General Anesthesia© were designed for quick recognition of
children at high risk for respiratory complications and provide
management techniques for anesthesia providers to follow.
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Keywords

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