In this study we tested the hypothesis that the initial cuff volume of the laryngeal mask airway influences emergence characteristics and postoperative laryngopharyngeal morbidity. One hundred and sixty adult patients undergoing minor surgery were randomly assigned for airway management with the laryngeal mask airway with either a fully inflated cuff (LMA-High) or a semi-inflated cuff (LMA-Low). Anaesthesia was with propofol, nitrous oxide, oxygen and isoflurane. Following insertion, the cuff was inflated with either 15 or 30 ml for the size 4 (females) and 20 or 40 ml for the size 5 (males). At the end of surgery, a blinded observer documented the presence or absence of adverse airway events (hypoxia, hypercapnea, coughing, retching, regurgitation/vomiting, airway obstruction, hypoventilation, hiccupping, biting, body movement or shivering) during every 1 min epoch and cardiorespiratory variables (heart rate, mean blood pressure, arterial oxygen saturation, end-tidal carbon dioxide and respiratory rate) every 5 min until the patient was awake and the laryngeal mask airway removed. Patients were interviewed about pharyngolaryngeal morbidity (sore throat, dysphonia and dysphagia) immediately before leaving the postanaesthesia care unit and 18-24 h following surgery. Analysis by epoch showed more partial airway obstruction in the LMA-High group, but analysis by patient numbers revealed no difference. Heart rate was slightly higher in the LMA-High group upon arrival in the postanaesthesia care unit, but otherwise there were no differences in cardiorespiratory responses. Sore throat and dysphagia were more common in the LMA-High group. We conclude that, in general, emergence characteristics with the laryngeal mask airway are not influenced by the volume of air used to inflate the cuff, but that postoperative sore throat and dysphagia are more likely at high initial cuff volumes.