The cLMA is in all national and international difficult airway guidelines (Fig 1). The cLMA may be used for difficult airway management in two broad categories. Both rely on an optimally positioned cLMA:

• Conduit: Used to maintain a patent airway (allowing oxygenation and ventilation) and form a passage through which a fibrescope or similar is passed to enter the larynx
• Airway rescue: Used to rescue a 'lost airway', i.e. in the circumstance of difficult ventilation or 'can't intubate, can't ventilate'. Success rates are around 95%