i-gel® from Intersurgical: clinical evidence listing

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

i-gel as an intubation conduit: Comparison of three different types of endotracheal tubes

Choudhary N, Kumar A, Kohli A, Wadhawan S, Bhadoria P. Indian J Anaesth. 2019 Mar;63(3):218-224

This investigation aimed to compare the successful intubation rate of the i-gel using three types of endotracheal tubes (ETTs). 75 ASA I and II patients (age 18-60 years) undergoing elective surgery under general anaesthesia were randomly assigned into three groups based on the type of endotracheal ETT, which included polyvinyl chloride ETT (Group P), intubating laryngeal mask airway ETT (Group I) and flexometallic ETT (Group F). Recorded parameters included time taken for successful intubation, success rate, number of attemps, manoeuvres, and complications. Results demonstrated that Group P had the lowest time and mean time for intubation, as well as the highest first attempt and overall intubation success rate. Therefore, the combination of polyvinyl chloride ETT with i-gel to intubate patients with difficult airways represents the most successful approach compared to other combinations. However, additional studies are needed to validate these results.

Link to abstract.

Comparison of I-gel versus Endotracheal Tube in Patients Undergoing Elective Cesarean Section: A Prospective Randomized Control Study

Panneer M, Babu S, Murugaiyan P. Anesth Essays Res. 2017 Oct-Dec; 11(4): 930–933 
 
The objective of this study was to compare the hemodynamic disturbances and possible complications caused by the i-gel and ETT in 80 patients (ASA II) undergoing cesarean receiving general anesthesia. A range of parameters was investigated including insertion time, ease of intubation, hemodynamics (insertion and removal) and postoperative complications (sore throat, blood on device, dysphagia, regurgitation, nausea, vomiting, laryngospasm and aspiration). Findings have demonstrated that patients in the ETT group had a higher incidence of difficult intubation, 20% higher mean arterial pressure and heart rate compared to the i-gel group. The ETT group also had a higher incidence of sore throat. Thus, the i-gel constitutes a superior alternative to the ETT in patients undergoing elective surgery under general anaesthesia.

Link to abstract.

Comparison of learning performance of 2 intubating laryngeal mask airways in novice: A randomized crossover manikin study.

Liu ZJ, Yi J, Chen WY, Zhang XH, Huang YG. Medicine (Baltimore). 2017 May;96(19):e6905.

46 doctors with no intubation experience were given 20 minutes of airway training and a short practice session with the i-gel and Aura-I. They were then asked to insert each device into a manikin in random order and to attempt intubation through each airway. Time to ventilation, first-attempt and overall intubation success, incidence of gastric inflation, ease of insertion, view of the vocal cords, and insertion score were all recorded and compared. Participants attempted the same tasks at a 3-month follow-up session. First-attempt and overall success rates for intubation were high and comparable, with only 1 patient failing to intubate via the Aura-I at follow-up. Performance of the devices was generally comparable. Time to intubation was shorter with the i-gel at both time points. Participants also reported that the i-gel was easier to use. These results may be due to the lack of inflatable cuff.

Link to abstract

Comparison of remifentanil EC50 for facilitating i-gel and laryngeal mask airway insertion with propofol anesthesia

Choi JB, Kwak HJ, Lee KC, Lee SR, Lee SY, Kim JY. J Anesth. J Anesth. 2016 Jun;30(3):377-83

Randomised study comparing 41 female patients across two groups: i-gel and LMA, undergoing anaesthesia. EC50 of remifentanil concentration for i-gel insertion was significantly lower.

Link to abstract

 

Comparison of a supraglottic gel device and an endotracheal tube in keratoplasty performed under general anesthesia: a randomized clinical trial

Guerrier G, Boutboul D, Rondet S, Hallal D, Levy J, Sjogren L, Legeais JM, Nicolau R, Mehanna C, Bourges JL, Samama CM. Cornea 2016;35(1):37-40

Study to assess the safety of the i-gel in keratoplasty performed under general anaesthesia, compared to tracheal tube intubation. No surgical complications reported in either group.

Link to abstract