title: Application of the laryngeal mask airway to thyroid surgery and the preservation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve.
abstract: We report our experience of using the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) in 13 consecutive patients undergoing thyroid surgery and discuss the advantages and limitations of the technique. We also describe a method, based on the use of the LMA, for identifying and preserving the recurrent laryngeal nerve during thyroid surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Norfolk.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Greatorex
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Denny
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007385:Intermittent Positive-Pressure Ventilation / Q000379:methods; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008397:Masks; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012009:Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000601:surgery*