i-gel® from Intersurgical: clinical evidence listing

Castle N, Owen R, Hann M, Naidoo R, Reeves D. Emerg Med J 2010; 27(11): 860-86 

In this study, 36 final-year paramedic students were randomised into one of six groups, each of which inserted three airway devices into a manikin in a different order. The devices used were the i-gel®, the laryngeal mask airway and the Laryngeal Tube airway. The students were timed while performing each insertion and interviewed afterwards to determine which device they preferred and why. All insertions were successful on the first attempt. The i-gel® was significantly faster than its competitors with a mean insertion time of 12.3s. Due to the speed and ease of insertion, 63% of students named the i-gel® as their preferred airway.

Link to abstract.

Tsuruta S, Yamada M, Shimizu T, Satsumae T, Tanaka M, Mizutani T. Masui 2010; 59 (11): 1411-1414

This paper describes the use of an i-gel® for ventilation during two craniotomy procedures. Both patients were anaesthetised and operated on using the asleep-awake-asleep technique. The i-gel® was inserted successfully and removed for the first time as the patients were able to respond to their own names being called. After the ‘awake’ period of surgery was complete, the i-gel® was reinserted easily in both cases despite a 30° rotation of the neck. There were no adverse incidents. The authors conclude that the i-gel® is appropriate for use during asleep-awake-asleep surgery due to the ease of insertion when the neck is rotated.

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Sharma B, Sehgal R, Sahai C, Sood J. Journal Of Anaesthesia And Clinical Pharmacology 2010; 26 (4): 451-457

In this study, the performance of the LMA ProSeal® and i-gel® was compared during laparoscopic surgery. 60 patients were randomised into two groups and had the supraglottic airway inserted by an experienced anaesthesiologist (defined as >500 and >50 insertions for ProSealTM and i-gel® respectively.

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Arévalo Ludeña J, Arcas Bellas JJ, López Pérez V, Cuarental García A, Alvarez-Rementería Carbonell R. Rev Esp Anestesiol Reanim 2010; 57(8): 532-535

In 25 patients, a bronchial blocker was inserted under direct vision with a fibreoptic bronchoscope through an i-gel®. The i-gel® provided a reliable, safe seal of the airway. The authors concluded that such a technique, for anaesthetists with the appropriate experience using a flexible fibreoptic scope, can facilitate safe, effective management of selected patients who are to undergo certain thoracic procedures.

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Helmy AM, Atef HM, El-Taher EM, Henidak AM. Saudi J Anaesth 2010; 4(3): 131-136

This study compared the cLMA and i-gel® in 80 healthy adult patients. The patients were randomly assigned to two groups for insertion of one of the devices during surgery. Haemodynamic data, oxygen saturation and end-tidal CO2 were similar in both groups. Leak pressure was significantly higher with the i-gel®, which also had a shorter insertion time. Postoperative complications were generally comparable, however there was a higher incidence of nausea and vomiting in the cLMA group due to gastric insufflation.

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