Final answer:
Laryngeal masks are used during anesthesia to maintain an open airway, especially when endotracheal intubation is not preferred. They are suitable for short surgical procedures, emergency situations, or in the management of sleep apnea with CPAP devices.
Step-by-step explanation:
The indications for inserting a laryngeal mask primarily involve maintaining an open airway during procedures where general anesthesia is administered. The muscles responsible for breathing and moving the tongue may relax too much under anesthesia, potentially blocking the airway. In such cases, an alternative to traditional endotracheal intubation, which involves inserting a tube into the trachea, is the use of a laryngeal mask. This offers a less invasive means to ensure the airway remains unobstructed, is easier to place, and typically results in fewer throat complaints post-surgery compared to endotracheal intubation.
Indications for the laryngeal mask include short procedures, as a backup for difficult airway management, or in emergency settings when intubation is not feasible. Adding air to the lungs during a shortness of breath episode or avoiding aspiration when a patient is at risk are additional circumstances where a laryngeal mask might be used. It is also a common choice in respiratory treatments like the management of obstructive sleep apnea, where continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices utilize a mask to keep the airways open during sleep.