Laryngeal Reflex before and after Placement of Airway Interventions: Endotracheal Tube and Laryngeal Mask Airway™

Abstract

With either airway intervention, laryngeal defensive reflexes are depressed immediately after surgery even without visible laryngeal swelling. The sensory impairment attributable to the presence of an ETT cannot be the solo factor responsible for the modification of the defensive airway reflexes elicited from the larynx.