i-gel® from Intersurgical: clinical evidence listing

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.

L'Hermite J, Dubout E, Bouvet S, Bracoud LH, Cuvillon P, Coussaye JE, Ripart J. Eur J Anaesthesiol. 2017 Jul;34(7):417-424

Comparison of the incidence of sore throat in 546 patients following use of LMA Unique, LMA Supreme and the i-gel. Primary outcome was incidence 24 hours postoperatively. Authors concluded that recordings were not significantly different between the three devices.

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Lai CJ, Liu CM, Wu CY, Tsai FF, Tseng PH, Fan SZ. BMC Anesthesiol. 2017 Jan 6;17(1):3

Randomised controlled trial of 40 patients divided equally between i-gel and ETT groups. Leak fraction was the primary outcome, defined as leak volume divided by inspired tidal volume. In the LPT position, no difference was recorded in the leak fraction. In the i-gel group there was 'notably less' leakage in LPT position than in supine - this difference was not observed in the ETT group. Incidence of postoperative sore throat was significantly lower in the i-gel group.

Link to abstract.

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.

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Ueno T, Komasawa N, Minami T. J Clin Anesth. 2016;28:91-2

Report of successful airway management of a 62-year-old male with intractable hoarseness. Upon extubation, no increased hoarseness reported. i-gel recommended by authors for patients with sulcus vocalis.

Link to abstract