i-gel® from Intersurgical: clinical evidence listing

Kus A, Gok CN, Hosten T, Gurkan Y, Solak M, Toker K. Eur J Anaesthesiol. 2014 May;31(5):280-4

In this double-blind study, the scenario was made more difficult by using a cervical collar. Primary aim was to compare leak pressures between devices, with success rate, insertion and fibreoptic view other parameters measured. First attempt success and leak pressure was higher with LMA Supreme. Both devices proved effective, and differences may not be clinically significant.

Link to abstract

Sramek M, Keijzer Ch. Br J Anaesth. 2014 Feb;112(2):386-7

Letter to the editor supporting the findings in the Theiler et al. study (Br J Anaesth 2012) with results of their own study on the success of i-gel in management of the unexpected difficult airway.

Link to abstract

Sen I, Bhardwaj N, Latha YS. J Anaesth Clin Pharmacol 2013; 29: 128-9

Case reported of tongue folding during procedure on a 30-year-old woman. Usual insertion technique did not provide a patent airway, so the authors confirm they used a reverse technique - proving successful. Authors conclude the technique was atraumatic and may be a suitable back-up.

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Nishiyama T, Kohno Y, Kim HJ, Shin WJ, Yang HS. The American Journal Of Emergency Medicine 2012; 30(9): 1756- 1759

180 patients were randomised into two equal groups, one for insertion of i-gel® at room temperature, the other at 37 degrees centigrade. Insertion time, number of insertion attempts, inspiratory and leak pressures, and leak fraction were compared. Report found no significant difference between the two groups.

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Singh J, Yadav MK, Marahatta SB, Shrestha BL. Indian J Anaesth 2012; 56(4): 348-52

Prospective, crossover, randomised trial of i-gel® against cLMA on 48 post-burn neck contracture patients with reduced neck movement and mouth opening. Primary outcome was overall success rate, with other measurements taken in time to ventilation, leak pressure, fibreoptic view and visualisation of square wave pattern. Success rate for i-gel® was 91.7%, against 79.2% for cLMA. i-gel® outperformed cLMA in all measurements. Authors conclude their study has ‘better clinical performance in the difficult airway management of the airway in the post burn contracture of the neck’.

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