The role of the supraglottic airway in general anaesthesia for Caesarean section

SummaryThe role of supraglottic airway devices in general anaesthesia for Caesarean section has been controversial, although there is increasing evidence for their use in the difficult obstetric airway. With the introduction of airway devices (LMA classic) especially those with oesophageal drains (LMA Proseal, LMA Supreme), their role for use in low-risk elective Caesarean sections have been investigated in cohort trials. The supraglottic airway devices form an integral part of the difficult obstetric airway algorithm during the ‘cannot intubate, cannot ventilate’ scenario. The safety of these devices needs to be further defined including the risk of aspiration and regurgitation with larger clinical trials.