i-gel® from Intersurgical: clinical evidence listing

Duckett J, Fell P, Han K, Kimber C, Taylor C. Emerg Med J. 2014 Jun;31(6):505-7

Clinical review of the advanced airway management techniques within the North East Ambulance Service in the UK. i-gel a popular choice for airway management during prehospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation, giving higher successful insertion rates than endotracheal tube. Authors conclude that they anticipate i-gel will be the first choice device for use in prehospital cardiac arrest.

Link to abstract

Jaoua H, Djaziri L, Bousselmi J, Belhouane H, Skander R, Ben Maamer A, Cherif A, Ben Fadhel K. Tunis Med. 2014 Apr;92(4):239-44

100 patients scheduled for short duration elective surgery were included, with ease of insertion, leak fraction, gastric leak, complications and ease of insertion among the parameters measured. Success rate of insertion was 99%, with first-attempt success at 92%. Authors conclude that the I-gel can be used 'safely and effectively'.

Link to abstract

Tiesmeier J, Emmerich M. Minerva Anestesiol. 2013 Feb;79(2):212-3

Three case studies where an i-gel® was used in an emergency situation are presented on the back of the authors’ previous knowledge that this SAD has ‘advantageous characteristics’, including quick insertion time, good seal pressures and high success rates. Cases were: a ‘violent’ but sedated male patient; a 69-year-old patient suffering a cerebral seizure; and an unconscious and intoxicated patient found at home. Regurgitation and aspiration were not seen in any case. Authors conclude that, alongside other pre-clinical emergency situations, i-gel® can be used in cases of sustained spontaneous breathing, and ‘could be considered for extended use outside the hospital’.

Link to abstract.

Reiter DA, Strother CG, Weingart SD. Resuscitation 2013; 84(1): 93-7

Emergency Medicine residents split into teams took part in two simulated ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrests using a high fidelity simulator, testing whether use of a laryngeal mask airway improved resuscitation results. Time to airway placement, duration and success rate of airway placement and percent hands off time were among results measured. Authors conclude that use of a laryngeal mask and an IO device led to ‘significantly faster establishment of an airway’

Abstract

Salmen M, Ewy G, Sasson C. BMJ Open 2012; 3: 2(5)

Collating data from 12 observational studies on the topic, covering both guidelines, the aim was to investigate the effect of both methods of treatment on cardiac arrest patients. Authors concluded that there is an ‘association with improved survival’ when cardiocerebral (CCR) protocols or 2005 Guidelines are compared with older versions, and that CCR appears to be a ‘promising resuscitation protocol for Emergency Medical Services’.

Abstract text