Improvements towards safer extraglottic airway devices

Each year, approximately 250 million people undergo a surgical procedure under general anaesthesia. During anaesthesia, it is essential to secure an airway. In 60% of the cases this is done using a laryngeal mask. However, selecting the right laryngeal mask and securing it correctly is not always easy given the anatomical differences in patients. Furthermore, the wrong size and the incorrect placement of this mask can lead to aspiration problems and other complications. This dissertation compared 130 different laryngeal masks. It also studied various sizing methods and researched the potential correlation between anatomical parameters to find the best anatomical mask with the least complications. The dissertation also describes a new technique where specific laryngeal masks are used as a conduit for intubation.