During laryngospasm, which airway adjunct may be used to help relief obstruction?

Prepare for the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry Oral Boards. Utilize flashcards and multiple-choice questions with hints and explanations to ace your exam!

When laryngospasm occurs, the goal is to ventilate and oxygenate quickly while reducing stimulation to the airway so the vocal cords relax. A laryngeal mask airway provides a supraglottic seal that allows ventilation without repeatedly instrumenting the glottis, which minimizes triggering additional spasm. It’s fast to place and less invasive than passing an endotracheal tube, giving you a bridge to deeper anesthesia or muscle relaxation to relieve the obstruction. If ventilation remains impossible with a supraglottic device, more invasive steps like endotracheal intubation or, rarely, a cricothyrotomy would be considered. By contrast, direct laryngoscopy with suction can exacerbate irritation; an endotracheal tube requires laryngoscopy and can prolong the spasm; and a cricothyrotomy is a last-resort surgical airway.