Flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy through the laryngeal mask airway in a small, premature neonate

The laryngeal mask airway (LMA) was introduced as a supraglottic device in anesthesia for routine use in the normal adult and pediatric population. Because the distal end of properly placed LMA faces the laryngeal inlet, this device can be used as a guide to flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FFB) performance. In this clinical case, we present a small premature neonate with severe congenital biphasic stridor. FFB was performed successfully through the LMA while maintaining a patent airway during general anesthesia and permitting spontaneous respiration, as well as allowing assisted ventilation when necessary. An immediately subglottic intramural mass was revealed and tracheostomy was performed.