i-gel® from Intersurgical: clinical evidence listing

A comprehensive list of all known published clinical evidence on the device

The i-gel® supraglottic airway- a useful tool in case of difficult fibreoptic intubation

Emmerich M, Tiesmeier J. Minerva Anestesiol 2012; 78(10): 1169-70

A 69-year-old man with a history of difficult intubation could not be intubated via conventional bronchoscopy. Different ETT sizes and airway manoeuvres were tried without success, until the bronchoscope was properly placed through a size 5 i-gel. Operation was completed without complication and the patient reported no neck discomfort or difficulty breathing.

Abstract text

Comparison of size 2.5 i-gelTM with proseal LMATM in anaesthetised, paralyzed children undergoing elective surgery

Mitra S, Das B, Jamil SN. North American Journal Of Medical Sciences 2012; 4(10): 453-7

Investigation on the usefulness of paediatric i-gel® size 2.5 against the PLMA equivalent in 60 randomly assigned patients due for anaesthetised elective surgery. Leak pressure was the primary outcome recorded, with further results for ease of insertion, hemodynamic data and postoperative complications also measured. Most areas offered no significant difference, although i-gel® proved easier to insert and recorded a higher leak pressure. Due to author-defined parameters such as cost-effectiveness, they deduce that i-gel® ‘must be more frequently used’.

Link to abstract.

A comparison of three supraglottic airway devices used by healthcare professionals during paediatric resuscitation simulation

Schunk D, Ritzka M, Graf B, Trabold B. Emerg Med J 2012; 0: 1–4

66 healthcare professionals of differing experience in paediatric airway management participated in a study comparing laryngeal masks, i-gel® and laryngeal tube. Separated into three groups and after brief training in each, the participants were asked to place the device. Positioning and time to insert were recorded. Results show that i-gel® is superior to both laryngeal mask and laryngeal tube under these circumstances.

Link to abstract.

 

 

Cadaver study of oesophageal insufflation with supraglottic airway devices during positive pressure ventilation in an obstructed airway

Schmidbauer W, Genzwürker H, Ahlers O, Proquitte H, Kerner T. Br J Anaesth 2012; 109(3): 454-8

This, the first data collection study on the extent of oesophageal insufflation when oropharyngeal leak pressures are exceeded, used the i-gel® inserted into cadavers. Compared alongside LMA Supreme®, LMA ProSeal®, LTS-DTM, LTS IITM and Combitube®, performance was measured in a surgically-closed trachea to replicate total airway obstruction. Volume of insufflation from controlled ventilation was measured at inspirator pressures of 20, 40 and 60 mbar, with the former producing no insufflation with any device.

Abstract link

 

A cohort evaluation of the paediatric i-gel® airway during anaesthesia in 120 children

Beringer R, Kelly F, Cook T, Nolan J, Hardy R, Simpson T, White M. Anaesthesia 2012; 66(12): 1121-1126

120 children up to 13 years of age were studied using the paediatric i-gel® during general anaesthesia to assess efficacy and usability. Insertion success and number of attempts, ventilation, leak pressure and fibreoptic view were all recorded. Airway manipulations and complications were also noted. In 94% of children the i-gel® was inserted and a clear airway maintained without complication.

Link to abstract.