Alternative ventilation strategies: laryngeal masks.

Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Angeles Mexico, Agrarismo 208-301 B, Escandon, Mexico City 18000, Mexico.

The appropriate role for laryngeal masks during delivery room resuscitation has not been established. The authors systematically reviewed the literature to answer three clinical questions: (1) In newborns requiring positive-pressure ventilation for resuscitation, would a laryngeal mask achieve safe and effective ventilation faster than facemask ventilation? (2) In newborns unable to be ventilated effectively with a facemask during resuscitation, would a laryngeal mask achieve effective ventilation faster than endotracheal intubation? (3) In newborns requiring resuscitation, would a laryngeal mask achieve effective ventilation when facemask ventilation and endotracheal intubation have been unsuccessful?

PMID: 16533636 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]