Supraglottic airway devices, such as LMAs, can be used in pediatric trauma in some circumstances.
- As a temporizing measure in a pediatric trauma victim while awaiting appropriate help
- As a conduit through which a fiberoptic scope can be passed and the patient intubated via the LMA
- As a rescue device in a failed intubation scenario
LMAs do not protect against aspiration of gastric contents and are not a definitive airway.
LMA sizing is weight-based. Appropriate sizing can be found on the Broselow Tape, on the packaging and on the LMA itself.