i-gel® from Intersurgical: clinical evidence listing

Original post by Pearson K. Reply by Cook TM. Anaesthesia Correspondence Website. 2016. Accessed 22 May.

In the original post, and in response to Cook's study on abandoning vintage laryngeal masks (Br J Anaesth. 2015 Oct;115(4):497-9), Pearson cautions against the 'universal replacement of 1st generation devices' especially considering sub-group care (paediatrics), versatility, training and cost, and instead suggests there should not be a one-size-fits-all approach. Pearson also comments on the significant move towards the use of i-gel in her hospital.

In response to this, Cook suggests clinicians use the best performing and safest device where available as first choice. Cook makes mention of the two published meta-analyses on i-gel in children: by Choi GJ and Maitra S.

Link to abstract

Schälte G, Bomhard LT, Rossaint R, Coburn M, Stoppe C, Zoremba N, Rieg A. BMJ Open 2016;6(5):e10770

100 participants were analysed using a labelled i-gel with an integrated mouthpiece and asked to follow an instruction chart. 79% were able to ventilate the manikin effectively, with 90% using the correct turn and direction.

Link to abstract

Moreno CA, Fonseca S. Braz J Anesthesiol. 2016;66(3):321-3

Report of a 52-year-old female who developed aphonia related to IBPB.

Link to abstract

Piegeler T, Roessler B, Goliasch G, Fischer H, Schlaepfer M, Lang S, Ruetzler K. Resuscitation 2016 May;102:70-4

Randomised human cadaver study comparing Laryngeal Tube, EasyTube, LMA Classic, i-gel, ETI and BVM effect on protection against regurgitation and aspiration during CPR. Five minutes of CPR was administered according to 2010 European Resuscitation Council Guidelines. Aspiration was detected in two out of five cadavers with i-gel, while none were recorded when using ETI. Study provides experimental evidence that ETI offers superior protection during CPR.

Link to abstract

Deguchi S, Komasawa N, Kido H, Omori M, Minami T. J Clin Anesth. 2016;30:61-2

Study to test the pH levels in the i-gel after removal.

Link to abstract