We studied gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) with a face mask and laryngeal mask airway (LMA), and the effects of inflation pressure and volume of the LMA cuff on oesophageal pH, in 60 patients. Patients were managed with either a face mask (group I) or LMA inflated to obtain a seal in the anaesthesia circuit at 7 cm H2O (group II) or 15 cm H2O (group III). A pH-sensitive probe with two electrodes, 10 cm apart, was placed in the oesophagus during anaesthesia and recordings were made continuously until patients awakened. There was a significant difference in the incidence of GOR between the face mask (group I) and the LMA (groups II-III) (P < 0.05) in the lower oesophagus but there was no difference in the mid-oesophagus. No correlation was found between pressure and volume inside the cuff and variations in oesophageal pH. We conclude that LMA use was associated with increased reflux in the low oesophagus but oesophageal pH was not influenced by variations in pressure or volume inside the LMA cuff.