i-gel® from Intersurgical: clinical evidence listing

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

Comparison of gastric insufflation using LMA-supreme and I-gel versus tracheal intubation in laparoscopic gynecological surgery by ultrasound: a randomized observational trial.

Ye Q, Wu D, Fang W, Wong GTC, Lu Y.  BMC Anesthesiol. 2020;20(1):136. Published 2020 Jun 3.

This randomised observational study set out to evaluate and compare the antral cross-sectional area (CSA) in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynaecological surgery when managed with different supraglottic airway devices (SAD). One hundred ASA I and II female patients were assessed for the study enrolment and subsequently randomly allocated into three groups of different ventilation devices, which included LMA-Supreme (Group S), I-gel (Group I) or tracheal tube (Group T). Several parameters were measured including antral cross-sectional area (primary outcome), haemodynamic parameters and postoperative morbidity such as sore throat, hoarseness, dry throat, nausea and vomiting (secondary outcomes). Findings have demonstrated that the antral CSA was not significantly different among three groups before induction after induction and at the end of surgery. On the other hand, the haemodynamic variables were significantly higher in the tracheal tube group than in the LMA-Supreme and I-gel groups after insertion and after removal. Interestingly, sore throat was detected in none in the I-gel group compare to two patients in the LMA-Supreme group and fifteen patients in the tracheal tube group. Moreover, hoarseness was detected in one in the I-gel group, whereas two patients in the LMA-Supreme group and eleven patients in the tracheal tube group suffered from this postoperative adverse event.

Conclusions: The SADs do not cause obvious gastric insufflation. Thus, LMA-Supreme and I-gel can be widely used as alternative to endotracheal intubation for the short laparoscopic gynaecological surgery.

Link to abstract

 

Comparative study of fiber-optic guided tracheal intubation through intubating laryngeal mask airway LMA FastrachTM and i-gel in adult paralyzed patients

Sood S, Saxena A, Thakur A, Chahar S. Saudi J Anaesth. 2019 Oct-Dec; 13(4): 290–294.

This prospective randomised study aimed to compare the performance of two supraglottic airway devices (SADs) the i-gel and LMA Fastrach when performing fiberoptic-guided intubation in adult paralysed patients. 60 patients were randomly assigned to either i-gel or LMA Fastrach. Several parameters were assessed, which included ease and time taken for fiberoptic-guided intubation (primary outcome), time taken for successful SAD placement, ease of insertion, ease and time of removal, as well as haemodynamic parameters and postoperative complication (secondary outcomes). Findings demonstrated that the Fastrach had a faster tracheal intubation and higher airway sealing pressure. On the other hand, the ETT was easier to insert when using the i-gel as compared to the Fastrach. Haemodynamic parameters were comparable between both devices. In addition, post removal complications were observed in either devices. Therefore, both devices are comparable in terms of performance and efficacy facilitating fiberoptic-guided intubation in adult paralysed patients.

Link to abstract.

Supraglottic airway devices as a strategy for unassisted tracheal intubation: A network meta-analysis

Ahn E, Choi G, Kang H, Baek C, Jung Y, Woo Y, Bang S. PLoS One. 2018 Nov 5;13(11):e0206804

This network meta-analysis (with a mixed-treatment comparison method to combine direct and indirect comparisons) compared the effectiveness of seven different SADs as a strategy for unassisted tracheal intubation. The primary outcome was the overall success rate of intubation by intention to treat (ITT) and the secondary outcomes included the overall tracheal intubation success rate (per protocol - PP) and the success rate of tracheal intubation at first attempt by ITT and PP.

Link to abstract.

Comparison of the Macintosh laryngoscope and blind intubation via the iGEL for intubation with cervical spine immobilization: A randomized, crossover, manikin trial

Gawlowski P, Smereka J, Madziala M, Szarpak L, Frass M, Robak O. Am J Emerg Med. 2017 Mar; 35(3): 484-487.

Paramedics performed standard intubation and blind intubation in three airway scenarios. Results show that blind intubation with the i-gel was superior to ETI performed by paramedics.

Link to abstract.

Tracheal intubation through I-gel performed during simulated cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Wojewodzka-Zelezniakowicz M, Majer J. Am J Emerg Med. 2017 Jan 16.

Manikin study to compare the efficacy of ETI performed by 27 nurses using the i-gel as a guide with/without chest compressions. Results showed that in this scenario, nurses were able to perform blind intubation using the i-gel with 'high efficiency'.

Link to abstract.