Displacement of the common carotid artery after laryngeal mask airway placement in infants and children

Summary Background: In adults, placement of the laryngeal mask airway causes increased overlapping of the internal jugular vein (IJV) and common carotid artery (CCA). However, few studies in children have been reported. The aim of this study was to describe the degree of overlap of the IJV and the CCA before and after laryngeal mask airway placement in infants and children. Method: There were 160 children scheduled to undergo Protex® SoftSeal® and Ambu® placement. Patients were initially positioned in the 15° Trendelenburg position with their heads rotated 30° to the left. The ultrasound probe was placed perpendicular to the skin, and the images of the right IJV and CCA were collected at the level of the cricoid cartilage. Following laryngeal mask airway placement, images were collected in the same manner. Results: No statistically significant changes were observed in the overlap index before and after laryngeal mask airway placement. By inflating the laryngeal mask airway cuff, migration of the vessel forward was 24.38% and outward migration was 13.99%. Conclusion: There was no remarkable change in the overlap index before and after laryngeal mask airway placement in children.