i-gel® from Intersurgical: clinical evidence listing

Lopez NT, McCoy SK, Carroll C, Jones E, Miller JA. Mil Med. 2018 Jun 19 [Epub ahead of print]

Prospective crossover study on cadavers to measure airway exchange on three pre-placed supraglottic airways: King LT, i-gel and LMA Unique. Participants, recruited from emergency medical personnel in a training lab, rated the difficulty level of placement of each airway device. Successful exchange equalled proper placement of the ETT in the trachea. Authors conclude the i-gel superior for blind airway exchange with an ETT in this set up.

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

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

Levitan RM, Kinkle WC. Anaesthesia 2005; 60(10): 1022- 1026

The first ever published study examined the positioning and mechanics of the i-gel® in 65 non-embalmed cadavers, with 73 endoscopies, 16 neck dissections and six neck radiographs. The mean percentage of glottic opening score for the 73 insertions was 82%. In each of the neck dissections and radiographs the bowl of the device covered the laryngeal inlet. In their summary, the authors concluded that the i-gel® was consistently positioned over the laryngeal inlet and that the unique gel-like material of the device performed as intended, conforming to the perilaryngeal anatomy.

Link to abstract.