i-gel® from Intersurgical: clinical evidence listing

Adlam M, Purnell D. Resuscitation 2012; 83(5): e129

Twenty-one Foundation Year One Trainees were asked to attempt to ventilate a manikin with either an LMA or i-gel®, of their own choosing. Results showed 71% chose to use an LMA, although on reflection 95% preferred the i-gel®. Speed of insertion was faster with i-gel®. Study supports use of i-gel® on resus trolleys for use by non-airway trained doctors.

Abstract text

Sahin A, Tüfek A, Cingü AK, Caça I, Tokgöz O, Balsak S. Pediatr Anesth 2012; 22(8): 772-775

47 children due for eye surgery were administered with sevoflurane or desflurane randomly for anaesthesia. Intraocular pressure was then measured prior to i-gel® insertion, at two and five minutes after insertion, and immediately after removal. Sustained pressure decrease present during procedure, but no significant difference between pre- and post-operative pressure.

Link to abstract.

Taxak S, Bhardwaj M, Gopinath A. J Anaesth Clin Pharmacol 2012; 28(2): 263–264

Two successful cases of paediatric i-gel® used to manage the airway during brain MRI under general anaesthesia. The first, a three-month-old, was maintained using size one; whilst a size two was used on the second case, a boy aged three-and-a-half with a Mallampati score of two. Usual capnography readings taken to ensure secure placement, and in both cases there was no evidence of desaturation. Compared to other laryngeal mask airways, the authors conclude that i-gel® suffers no risk of displacement, meaning intubation does not have to be repeated on known sensitive patients. They also deduce that i-gel® has other advantages, including ease of insertion and minimum adverse effects on removal of the device. Large studies are required, however, to ‘confirm its usefulness’.

Link to abstract.

Ragazzi R, Finessi L, Farinelli I, Alvisi R, Volta CA. Anaesthesia 2012; 67(4): 384-8

Following a short lecture and manikin training, novice airway users were randomly selected to insert either the LMA Supreme® or i-gel® into 80 patients undergoing breast surgery, to measure insertion success rate and ventilation profile.

Abstract text

Fukuhara A, Okutani R, Oda Y. J Anesth. 2012; 27(1): 1-6

A prospective, randomised and controlled test of 134 children, aged three months to 15 years old, undergoing general anaesthesia were inserted with either i-gel® size 1.5-3 or ProSealTM equivalent to gauge insertion performance. Outcome variables included leak pressure, ease of insertion, success rate and fibreoptic view. Most outcomes were very similar, however fibreoptic view was significantly better with i-gel®.

Link to abstract.