Since November 1990 until January 1993, the laryngeal mask airway was employed for 1925 general anaesthesias, i.e. 19.6% of all general anaesthesias in our hospital. On the basis of the protocols the age distribution of the patients, the practice of anaesthesia (premedication with oral benzodiazepines, induction with thiopental, anaesthesia sustained with enflurane/nitrous oxide/oxygen) and the complications are reported. The complications not directly related to the laryngeal mask were: hypotension (5.92%), dysrhythmias (3.17%) and hypertensive states (1.71%). Other complications directly related to the laryngeal mask (bronchospasm, laryngospasm, difficult insertion of the mask, intraoperative vomiting) were less than 1.3% each. One aspiration was recorded, but could not be attributed to the laryngeal mask. Complications with major influence on the postoperative course and hospital stay were not seen.