Objective: To find out whether intravenous lignocaine improves the condition for Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA) placement under general anaesthesia.

Material and Method: 100 ASA I and II patients were selected and were randomly divided into two groups. Group–I patients received saline while group–II pts received 1.5 mg /kg of lignocaine prior to induction with thiopentone sodium. Three variables, (Jaw opening, Coughing and ease of placement of LMA) were evaluated.

Conclusion: Study showed that lignocaine facilitated first attempt LMA placement in 60% of the patients, accompanied by ease of jaw opening in 58% and devoid of coughing in 62% of the patients. This shows that lignocaine significantly reduces the laryngospasm which occurs during LMA placement under thiopentone anaesthesia, due to its ability to suppress the upper airway reflexes. Therefore, it is concluded that intravenous lignocaine gives better results than normal saline.