In daily anesthetic practice, the insertion of a Laryngeal Mask--airway is facilitated by means of a lubricant. Many different products are in widespread clinical use, according to personal preference or what's in or on the anesthesia trolley. This study compares four different lubricants: Xylocaine 10% spray, Silkospray, Endosgel and water. When comparing the ease of insertion of the Laryngeal Mask, the genuine lubricants proved to be superior to water. However, no single lubricant was associated with a statistically significant lower incidence of postoperative sore throat.