by Lori Solomon

A laryngeal mask (LM) is a safe alternative to tracheal tube (TT) intubation for pediatric patients with obstructive sleep apnea undergoing adenotonsillectomies, according to a reviewpublishedin theEuropean Annals of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Diseases.

Beatriz Friedrichsen Marques, from the Federal University of Santa Catarina in Florianópolis, Brazil, and colleagues conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of LM use versus TT in adenotonsillectomies.

Based on six randomized controlled trials (765 participants), the researchers found that LM was associated with a longer surgical time (mean difference, 3.35 minutes) and a smaller blood aspiration rate (3.6% versus 17.1% for TT). Additionally, LM was associated with conversion to intubation in 4.7% of the cases. The two ventilation types were similar with regard to total adverse events. Furthermore, individual adverse events were similar between the groups, including for bronchospasm, laryngospasm, desaturation, and coughing.

"Although TT is safer for airway control in surgeries accessed through the oral cavity, LM may be a viable option, based on the availability and expertise of the anesthesia team responsible for the procedure," the authors write.

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More information B. Friedrichsen Marques et al, Laryngeal mask in patients undergoing adenotonsillectomies, European Annals of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Diseases (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.anorl.2026.03.007