Use of laryngeal mask for neonatal resuscitation in Brazil: A national survey

BACKGROUND: The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation suggests using the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) as an alternative to the face mask for performing positive pressure ventilation (PPV) in the delivery room in newborns ≥34 weeks. Because not much is known about the health professionals’ familiarity in using LMA in Brazil, this study aimed to describe the health professionals’ knowledge and practice of using LMA, who provide neonatal care in the country. METHODS: An online questionnaire containing 29 questions was sent to multi-healthcare professionals from different regions in the country through email and social media groups (WhatsApp®, Instagram®, Facebook®, (and) LinkedIn®). The participants anonymously answered the questions regarding their knowledge and expertise in using LMA to ventilate newborns in the delivery room. RESULTS: We obtained 749 responses from all the regions in Brazil, with 80% from health professionals working in public hospitals. Most respondents were neonatologists (73%) having > 15 years of clinical practice. Among the respondents, 92% recognized the usefulness of LMA for performing PPV in newborns, 59% did not have specific training in LMA insertion, and only 8% reported that they have already used LMA in the delivery room. In 90% of the hospitals, no written protocol was available to use LMA; and in 68% of the hospitals, LMA was not available for immediate use. CONCLUSION: This nationwide survey showed that most professionals recognize the usefulness of LMA. However, the device is scarcely available and underused in the routine of ventilatory assistance for newborns in delivery rooms in Brazil.