Randomised controlled trial: Respiratory complications in infants undergoing general anaesthesia with a laryngeal mask airway versus an endotracheal tube

INTERVENTION: Endotracheal intubation for airway maintenance for elective surgical procedure following induction of anaesthesia. The procedure is a one off intervention with the endotracheal tube staying in place for the total duration of the procedure which ranges from approx. 30 min to 2 hours. CONDITION: Respiratory complications in children receiving either a laryngeal mask airway or an endotracheal tube PRIMARY OUTCOME: total of respiratory complications. ; Presence of perioperative respiratory complication as defined by one or more of the following: ; Bronchospasm, laryngospasm, severe coughing, desaturation < 95%, airway obstruction and/or stridor. ; The presence/absence of respiratory complications will be recorded during the time of anaesthesia and the time spent in recovery. The overall presence of respiratory complications will be taken for the analysis SECONDARY OUTCOME: occurrence and frequency of the individual respiratory complications in both intra‐operatively and in the recovery area. ; THe outcome will be assessed by clinical monitoring. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Children, aged 0 to 12 months, male or female undergoing combined general and regional (e.g. caudal, penile block) anaesthesia with the plan to use either a laryngeal mask airway or endotracheal tube (as assessed by an anaesthetist independent of the study team).