i-gel® from Intersurgical: clinical evidence listing

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

Comparative evaluation of I-gel vs. endotracheal intubation for adequacy of ventilation in pediatric patients undergoing laparoscopic surgeries

Kohli M, Wadhawan S, Bhadoria P, Ratan SK. J Anaesthesiol Clin Pharmacol. 2019 Jan-Mar;35(1):30-35

This study aimed to determine the efficacy of the i-gel as compared to the ETT in terms of adequacy of ventilation in 80 children (2-8 years of age) undergoing paediatric laparoscopic surgeries. Several parameters were evaluated including peak airway pressure, end-tidal CO2, minute ventilation, SpO2, as well as desufflation of the peritoneal cavity. These variables were recorded after securing the airway, after carboperitoneum (CP) and after desufflation of the peritoneal cavity. Results showed a significant increase in the partial pressure of mean expired CO2 (PeCo2), peak airway pressure, as well as minute ventilation in both groups after creation of CP. On the other hand, no difference was observed in heart rate or mean arterial pressure. Moreover, the i-gel showed a smaller increase in peak airway pressure and fewer post-operative complications. Thus, both devices were comparable in terms of adequacy of ventilation, but the i-gel was able to provide a safe alternative to the ETT.

Link to abstract.

Comparison of I-gel versus Endotracheal Tube in Patients Undergoing Elective Cesarean Section: A Prospective Randomized Control Study

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.

Clinical Comparison of I-Gel Supraglottic Airway Device and Cuffed Endotracheal Tube for Pressure-Controlled Ventilation During Routine Surgical Procedures

Dhanda A, Singh S, Bhalotra AR, Chavali S. Turk J Anaesthesiol Reanim. 2017 Oct;45(5):270-276

The adequacy of i-gel for pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV) in 60 patients undergoing elective surgery was assessed in this study. Patients were randomly assigned to the i-gel group or cuffed tracheal tube group. Several parameters were evaluated such as insertion time, number of attempts, ease of insertion and performance of the cardiovascular system. Furthermore, air leak, leak volume, leak fraction and pharyngolaryngeal (PL) morbidity were also assessed. Findings have shown that i-gel was easier to insert compared to the tracheal tube. Heart rate and mean arterial pressure were higher following tracheal tube but comparable between the two groups after few minutes. Moreover, the leak volume and leak fraction were comparable between the two groups at 15 cm H2O but significantly different at 20 and 25 cm H2O (higher in the i-gel group), and PL morbidity was significantly higher in the tracheal tube. Therefore, the i-gel represents a valuable alternative to the cuffed ETT if pressure is limited to 15 - 20 cm H2O.

Link to abstract.

I-Gel is a suitable alternative to endotracheal tubes in the laparoscopic pneumoperitoneum and trendelenburg position

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.

Addressing the challenges of paramedic recruitment and engagement in Airways-2

Pilbery R, Green J, Hall H, Whitley G. Emerg Med J 2016; 33e12

Report into the three main challenges facing recruitment for the Airways-2 trial (comparison of i-gel against tracheal intubation in patients suffering OHCA). 

Link to abstract.