i-gel® from Intersurgical: clinical evidence listing

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

Comparison of the i-gel and other supraglottic airways in adult manikin studies: systematic review and meta-analysis

An J, Nam SB, Lee JS, Lee J, Yoo H, Lee HM, Kim MS. Medicine (Baltimore). 2017 Jan;96(1):e5801

Authors conducted a specialised search of study databases for eligible randomised controlled trials, setting device insertion time and first-attempt insertion success rate as their primary outcomes. In the 14 RCTs included, i-gel was faster than the majority of other supraglottic airways, with only three others recording shorter insertion times. Authors concluded that the 'unapparent advantage' of insertion success rate indicated the need for further evidence gathering in this area.

Link to abstract.

Comparison between supraglottic airway devices and endotracheal tubes in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Park SK, Ko G, Choi GJ, Ahn EJ, Kang H. Medicine (Baltimore). 2016 Aug;95(33):e4598

In total, 17 randomised controlled trials were identified fitting the parameters outlined. Incidence of postoperative complications including cough at removal, dysphagia, sore throat and laryngospasm were higher in the ETT group. However no differences were shown regarding insertion success at first attempt and insertion time, among others.

Link to abstract

Retrospective cohort investigation of perioperative upper respiratory events in children undergoing general anesthesia via a supraglottic airway

No HJ, Koo BW, Oh AY, Seo KS, Na HS, Ryu JH, Lee SW. Medicine (Baltimore) 2016 Jul;95(28):e4273.

Observational analysis of medical records of previous anaesthetic procedures at one university hospital. Comparison of the two anaesthetic agents included use of four supraglottic airways: LMA Flexible, LMA Supreme, LarySeal and i-gel.

Link to abstract

Comparison of oropharyngeal leak pressure and clinical performance of LMA ProSeal™ and i-gel® in adults: Meta-analysis and systematic review

Shin HW, Yoo HN, Bae GE, Chang JC, Park MK, You HS, Kim HJ, Ahn HS. J Int Med Res. 2016 Jun;44(3):405-18

Online searches of popular databases resulted in 14 randomised controlled trials being included. Overall, leak pressure was higher with ProSeal, but i-gel was faster to insert, had lower incidence of blood staining on removal and sore throat.

Link to abstract

Postoperative sore throat: a systematic review

El-Boghdadly K, Bailer R, Wiles M. Anaesthesia 2016;71(6):706-17

Review into prevalence of sore throat after use of supraglottic airway devices against tracheal intubation in general anaesthesia. Authors suggest that, in adults, i-gel results in a lower incidence of post-operative sore throat.

Link to abstract