Protection against large-volume regurgitated fluid aspiration by the ProSeal™ laryngeal mask airway

The ProSeal™ laryngeal mask airway (PLMA) is designed to protect the airway from regurgitated fluid. However, successful channeling of large volumes of regurgitated fluid by PLMA is rarely reported. This case report states that a large volume of regurgitated fluid was successfully channeled by a PLMA. The patient was a healthy 43-year-old male, property fasted, undergoing transurethral cystolithotomy under general anesthesia with a correctly-placed PLMA. Unexpectedly, a Large volume of regurgitated fluid (> 500 mL) spurted out from the PLMA esophageal drainage tube 2 hours after surgery. Careful gastric decompression was performed and airway toilet showed no evidence of aspiration of gastric contents. An endotracheal tube was then placed in lieu of the PLMA for airway maintenance. By the end of surgery, 1300mL of fluid was drained through the gastric tube. Extubation was smooth and the patient had an uneventful recovery. Further radiological examination revealed the existence of an unrecognized vesicorectal fistula, which allowed the cystoscopic irrigation fluid to escape to the GI tract, resulting in massive gastric regurgitation. The patient underwent fistula repair a week later and was discharged without further difficulty. This is a unique clinical case report to show PLMA can be effective in preventing aspiration when massive passive regurgitation occurs. Strategies in the management of massive regurgitation during PLMA use are discussed.