i-gel® from Intersurgical: clinical evidence listing

Singh J, Yadav MK, Marahatta SB, Shrestha BL. Indian J Anaesth 2012; 56(4): 348-52

Prospective, crossover, randomised trial of i-gel® against cLMA on 48 post-burn neck contracture patients with reduced neck movement and mouth opening. Primary outcome was overall success rate, with other measurements taken in time to ventilation, leak pressure, fibreoptic view and visualisation of square wave pattern. Success rate for i-gel® was 91.7%, against 79.2% for cLMA. i-gel® outperformed cLMA in all measurements. Authors conclude their study has ‘better clinical performance in the difficult airway management of the airway in the post burn contracture of the neck’.

Link to abstract.

Gupta Richa, Gupta Ruchi, Wadhawan S, Bhadoria P. J Anaesth Clin Pharmacol 2012; 28(3): 397–398

Report of i-gel® (size 2.5) used as a conduit for intubation on a nine-year-old girl scheduled for post-burn contracture with limited neck extension. Spontaneous ventilation and depth of anaesthesia were maintained, even after removal of the i-gel®. Authors conclude that fibreoptic ventilation through i-gel® is a ‘highly successful technique’.

Link to abstract.

Nakano S, Uda R, Nakajima O, Yamamoto N, Akatsuka M. Masui 2012; 61(7): 765-8

Case of the use of i-gel as preferred airway device and vehicle for tracheal intubation in a 59-year-old male with known Kommerell’s diverticulum, scheduled for repair of a tibial fracture under general anaesthesia. The i-gel® resulted in an uneventful operation with both controlled and spontaneous respiration, and the authors’ conclude that i-gel® is a useful device in such specific cases.

Abstract text

Castle N, Pillay Y, Spencer N. Anaesthesia 2011; 66(11): 983-8

Six different supraglottic airway devices, including i-gel®, were tested by 58 paramedics for speed and ease of insertion in a manikin, whilst wearing either a standard uniform or chemical, biological, radiation, nuclear-person protective equipment (CBRN-PPE). During the latter test, i-gel® was the fastest of the six to insert with a mean insertion time of 19 seconds. Overall, the wearing of CBRN-PPE has a detrimental effect on insertion time of supraglottic airways.

Link to abstract.

Emmerich M, Dummler R. Anaesthesist 2008; 57(8): 779-781

In this case report, the i-gel® was used as a conduit for intubation in a patient who was known to have problems with intubation. Direct laryngoscopy was not possible, but ventilation and a good fibreoptic view of the glottis were achieved by using the i-gel®. Intubation via the device was completed successfully using a 6.0mm cuffed endotracheal tube.

Link to abstract.