i-gel® from Intersurgical: clinical evidence listing

Corso RM, Piraccini E, Agnoletti V, Baccanelli M, Coffa A, Gambale G. Minerva Anaestesiol 2011; 77(8): 852-3

The i-gel® was used in eight patients for tracheostomy. Patients were extubated and the ET tube was replaced with the i-gel®. A percutaneous tracheostomy kit was then advanced to the second tracheal ring and the procedure was performed. Arterial pressure, PaO2/FiO2, minute ventilation and airway pressure were measured before, during and after tracheostomy. There were no significant differences in ventilatory and haemodynamic parameters. Use of the i-gel® was successful in seven of eight patients. The i-gel® provided better views of the glottis compared to the cLMA and ventilation was comparable to the ET tube. Large trials must take place to determine whether a one in eight failure rate remains.

Abstract text

Donaldson W, Michalek P. Minerva Anestesiol 2010; 76(5): 369-372

This report details the case of a 47-year-old woman with subglottic stenosis. During preoperative screening she stated that there had been difficulty inserting an endotracheal tube during an earlier procedure. During anaesthesia, a size four i-gel® was inserted on the first attempt. A fibrescope was passed down the i-gel® and into the trachea, where subglottic stenosis could be seen. The i-gel® showed no signs of leaking and did not cause any trauma. The authors note that this is the first case report where an i-gel® has been used in a patient with subglottic stenosis, and state that preoperative tests should be carried out before choosing to use the device in this situation.

Link to abstract.

Taxak S, Gopinath A. Minerva Anestesiol 2010; 76(5): 381

This case study describes the use of the i-gel® while the patient was in a prone position for surgery. A 45kg 16-year-old boy laid in a prone position with his head turned laterally. After induction of anaesthesia, a size three i-gel® was inserted on the first attempt. There were no adverse events either during or after surgery and the i-gel® was removed while the patient was still prone. Previous research has shown that the cLMA and ProSealTM airways can be inserted in the prone position, and i-gel®s have successfully ventilated prone patients who were turned over after insertion. However, this is the first reported case of i-gel® insertion while the patient is already prone. Routine use of this technique should only occur after further research has taken place.

Abstract text