Comparison of I-gel with Classic Laryngeal Mask Airway Regarding the Ease of Use and Clinical Performance

OBJECTIVE: I-gel is a new supraglottic airway device without an inflatable cuff. We aimed to compare I-gel and the classic laryngeal mask airway (LMA) regarding the ease of use and clinical performance in Turkish population. METHODS: Fifty American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I-II patients were randomly allocated into two groups: Group I-gel and Group LMA. Insertion time and success in first attempt were recorded. Peak, plato and mean airway pressures, EtCO2, airway compliance and leak volume were periodically recorded during the operation. The presence of blood on device removal and postoperative sore throat were also assessed. RESULTS: The device insertion time in Group I-gel was shorter than that in Group LMA (21.00±4.15 vs. 30.40±12.17 s, p=0.001). The success rate in first attempt, peak, plato and mean airway pressures, EtCO2 and airway compliance did not differ between the groups. The leak volume was lower in Group I-gel 5 and 45 min after insertion (p=0.041 and p=0.027). The presence of blood on device removal and postoperative sore throat were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: I-gel may be a more advantageous supraglottic airway device compared with LMA.