i-gel® from Intersurgical: clinical evidence listing

Pournajafian A, Alimian M, Rokhtabnak F, Ghodraty M, Mojri M. Anesth Pain Med. 2015 Mar 30;5(2):e22068.

61 patients were randomised for cLMA or I-gel insertion for brief orthopaedic surgery. Insertion time, success/failure rate, and incidence of complications (sore throat, hoarseness, bleeding) were all recorded. The devices were comparable, with a low incidence of complications overall and no instances of blood in the airway or on the device. The I-gel is therefore an acceptable alternative to the LMA Classic.

Link to abstract.

Ohchi F, Komasawa N, Imagawa K, Okamoto K, Minami T. J Anesth. 2015 Dec;29(6):887-92

15 novice doctors and 17 with >2 years experience were asked to insert each airway device into a manikin in random order. This was done in a windowless room with all the lights on and again with the lights switched off. Insertion time, insertion success, and participant's own perception of ease of use were all recorded. Ventilation success was lower in both groups when using the ProSeal and cLMA in the dark. Insertion time for these devices was longer in the dark, an effect that was also seen in both groups. Both ProSeal and cLMA were rated as more difficult to use in the dark compared with light conditions and with other devices. These results are thought to be due to the difference in design between these airways and the others used in the study, which are stiffer and anatomically shaped.

Link to abstract

Ghai B, Sethi S, Bansal D, Ram J. J Clin Anesth. 2015;27(8):627-31

Patients were randomly assigned to i-gel size 2 or LMA Classic size 2 groups, with target end-tidal sevoflurane concentration maintained for 8-10 minutes before insertion. This concentration was decreased in subsequent patients depending on response according to Dixon method. Authors conclude i-gel insertion can be accomplished at nearly half the concentration required for LMA Classic.

Link to abstract

Jain D, Ghai B, Bala I, Gandhi K, Banerjee G. Paediatr Anaesth. 2015;25(12):1248-53

30 children induced with sevoflurane in oxygen and administered atracurium intravenously. Oropharyngeal leak pressure in neutral, maximum flexion and maximum extension were primary outcomes measured. In extreme flexion of head and neck, caution is warranted during ventilation.

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Belena JM, Ochoa EJ, Nunez M, Gilsanz C, Vidal A. World J Gastrointest Surg. 2015;7(11):319-25

Literature search performed on laryngeal mask airway devices with drain tubes to determine efficacy of ventilation and protection against aspiration when compared with tracheal intubation. Results included studies on LMA Supreme, LMA Classic, LMA ProSeal and i-gel.

Link to abstract