Problem
Adenotomy is one of the most common ENT procedures performed on young children. Since the introduction of laryngeal masks for anesthesia, departments have increasingly used them in pediatric anesthesia because they prevent trauma to the child's larynx and do not require relaxation. When using the tongue blades employed in intubation, however, it quickly becomes clear that the guiding groove of the tongue blade is too narrow, resulting in pinching of the laryngeal mask. When the tongue blade is introduced, the laryngeal mask is therefore positioned under significant tension to the palatine arches. This, in turn, results in more frequent tearing of the palatine arch with correct use of the BECKMANN adenoid curette.

Solution
More than 90% of children undergoing adenotomy are between 2 and 5 years old; anesthesia can therefore be administered using laryngeal masks in sizes 2 or 2.5, at most. In these cases, the modified tongue blade is suitable for performing adenotomy under laryngeal mask anesthesia with the child's head in the common hyperextended lowered position at low risk to the palatal arches.

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