| Supraglottic airway device (SAD) serve as a safe alternative to endotracheal intubation for short-term airway management. Represented by the laryngeal mask airway, SAD feature easy insertion, minimal trauma, and favorable safety profiles, and have become an indispensable component in modern anesthesia and emergency care. SAD are commonly used in short-duration procedures requiring general anesthesia. Although SAD significantly reduce complications associated with conventional endotracheal intubation, their clinical application is still accompanied by a series of device-specific adverse events, mainly including the risk of regurgitation and aspiration, inadequate airway seal leading to ventilation failure, and local tissue injuries such as postoperative sore throat and nerve injury. These complications may result in unpleasant perioperative memories, reduced satisfaction with anesthesia, decreased postoperative comfort, and prolonged hospital stay. This article reviews the current understanding of the causes of complications related to SAD implantation in patients undergoing general anesthesia, and explores effective strategies for the prevention and mitigation of these complications both domestically and internationally, aiming to provide evidence-based references for the clinical use of SAD. |
