title: The incidence of bacteraemia following laryngeal mask insertion.
abstract: The incidence of bacteraemia following insertion of the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) was investigated in one hundred fit patients. Four cultures were positive: three represented contamination with skin flora; the other was a microaerophilic streptococcus grown from an anaerobic culture bottle. Although this organism can be pathogenic, it may also represent contamination. Our findings suggest that significant bacteraemia on insertion of the LMA is uncommon and is probably no more than with oral intubation. Antibiotic prophylaxis is of doubtful benefit in these circumstances.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Carins Base Hospital, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brimacombe
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shorney
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Swainston
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bapty
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D017214:Laryngeal Masks / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011425:Propionibacterium acnes; D011793:Queensland / Q000453:epidemiology; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology