i-gel® from Intersurgical: clinical evidence listing

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

Akan B, Erdem D, Albayrak MD, Aksoy E, Akdur F, Gogus N. Braz J Anesthesiol. 2016;66(2):219-21

This case report described the use of the i-gel for the management of ventilation in an ICU patient. A 49-year-old woman was hospitalized in ICU due to fever and respiratory distress. Three intubations using a bougie failed, but the airways were subsequently secured with an i-gel (size 3) at the first attempt. No issues were seen in mechanical ventilation using the i-gel for 48 hours in pressure-controlled ventilation. Thus, the i-gel can be used in difficult intubation scenarios, allowing mechanical ventilation up to 48 hours.

Link to abstract

Michálek P, Donaldson W, McAleavey F, Abraham A, Mathers RJ, Telford C. Prague Med Rep. 2016;117(4):164-175

Comparative study of three supraglottic airways as conduits in patients with predicted difficult laryngoscopy. Primary outcome measure was success rate of tracheal intubation through the device. No statistical difference was recorded in success rates between devices, however i-gel proved quicker to insert compared to ILMA and the intubation time was shorter compared to CTrach. i-gel is a suitable alternative to sILMA and CTrach in this scenario, and the shorter times recorded may provide an advantage in cases of difficult oxygenation.

Link to abstract.

Moore A, Gregoire-Bertrand F, Massicotte N, Gauthier A, Lallo A, Ruel M, Todorov A, Girard F. Anesth Analg. 2015 Aug;121(2):430-6

120 patients were randomly assigned to i-gel or LMA Fastrach groups, with tracheal intubation and mask insertion success rate measured. Use of i-gel as a conduit in this scenario is equivalent to Fastrach, however gives shorter intubation times and a better visualisation of the glottic opening.

Link to abstract 

Tang C, Chai X, Kang F, Huang X, Hou T, Tang F, Li J. Mediators Inflamm. 2015;2015:965925

Patients were allocated to either tracheal tube intubation or i-gel facilitated intubation groups, with haemodynamic profile, oxidative response and aneasthesia recovery parameters measured. Using i-gel combined with an endotracheal tube in this scenario proved safe and effective, 'leading to uneventful recovery'.

Link to abstract