Controlled Trial Comparing I-Gel Supraglottic Airway and the Classic Laryngeal Mask Airway

What is it about?

Controlled Trial Comparing I-Gel Supraglottic Airway and the Classic Laryngeal Mask Airway

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Why is it important?

Background: Difficult airway has always been a matter of concern for yesterdays and even todays anesthesiologist. In order to counter such difficult airways, many supraglottic airway devices have been invented. The i-gel without an inflatable cuff is one such airway device having several potential advantages. Objective: We compared I-gel with LMA-classic with respect to ease of insertion and post-operative complications namely cough, hoarseness of voice and blood traces over the surface of the device. Methodology: 100 anesthetized patients, breathing spontaneously, ASA I–II, undergoing minor surgical procedures (duration < 60 minutes) were randomly allocated to have an i-gel (n = 50) or LMA-classic (n = 50) inserted. Patients were interviewed for cough, hoarseness of voice and blood traces over the surface of the device at 2 hr post-operatively. Results: Ease of insertion was significantly higher (p < 0.013) in the i-gel group (86%) compared with the LMA-classic Group (60%). The incidence of cough was significantly lower with the i-gel than with LMA-classic at 2 hours (3 Vs 10). Similar results were seen for hoarseness of voice (2 Vs 7). The incidence of blood traces over the surface of the device was also lower for I-gel than LMA-classic (1 Vs 6). Conclusion: In this randomized study, the I-gel was found to have significant high success rate for insertion at first attempt compared to LMA-classic. The incidence of post-operative complications was significantly less. Also, i-gel has an advantage over LMA-classic in that it has an integral tube through which stomach contents can be aspirated and also prevent excessive inadvertent ventilation of the stomach.

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