i-gel® from Intersurgical: clinical evidence listing

Holbery-Morgan L, Angel C, Murphy M, Carew J, Douglas F, Murphy R, Hood N, Rechtman A, Scarff C, Simpson N, Stewardson A, Steinfort D, Radford S, Douglas N, Johnson D. Emerg Med Australas. 2017 Feb;29(1):63-68

Lifesavers in Australia who already use pocket masks and BVMs were trained to use the LMA and i-gel on a manikin. Time to effective ventilation was similar between the pocket mask, BVM and i-gel, but longer for LMA. Authors feel there is a limited role for supraglottic airway devices in this scenario.

Link to abstract.

Shiraishi Zapata CJ. Minerva Anestesiol. 2017 Feb;83(2):219-220

Letter to editor reporting the case of successful controlled ventilation in lateral decubitus position on a 39-year-old male. i-gel size 4 chosen after failed tracheal intubation. No evidence of trauma or pharyngeal inflammation.

Link to abstract

Chapman D. Anaesthesia. 2017 Feb;72(2):263-264.

Response to the letter from Seeley et al. Manufacturer posits that the reason for light anaesthesia and hence air entrainment, may have been caused by the tip of the device not being located in the upper oesophageal opening and the non-inflatable cuff located against the laryngeal framework, meaning the airway and gastric channels would not be isolated from each other. In the event described by the case report, reference to the user guide would suggest reinsertion of the device using a gentle jaw thrust, deep rotation or triple maneouvre to achieve optimum depth of insertion.

Link to abstract.

Seeley JP, Pearson K, Baxter A. Anaesthesia. 2017 Feb;72(2):262-263.

Case report of light anaesthesia in a patient with a size 1.5 i-gel, despite adequate inspired concentration of sevoflurane and optimum positioning of the device by experienced operators. Entrainment was confirmed by capnography. No harm came to the patient. Authors pose the question of whether the gastric port inlet is positioned too anteriorly in paediatric i-gel sizes.

Link to abstract.

Wojewodzka-Zelezniakowicz M, Majer J. Am J Emerg Med. 2017 Jan 16.

Manikin study to compare the efficacy of ETI performed by 27 nurses using the i-gel as a guide with/without chest compressions. Results showed that in this scenario, nurses were able to perform blind intubation using the i-gel with 'high efficiency'.

Link to abstract.