Comparison of performance and safety of i-gel with laryngeal mask airway [classic] for general anaesthesia with controlled ventilation

ABSTRACT

To compare ease of insertion, effectiveness of the positive pressure ventilation and airway complications of i-gel with laryngeal mask airway-classic [LMA] for general anaesthesia with controlled ventilation. This study was conducted in the Department of Anaesthesiology, Surgical intensive care unit and Pain Management, Civil Hospital Karachi, Dow Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, from July 2008 to December 2008. One hundred adult patients aged 15 to 75 years, ASA I and II, Mallampati I and II, scheduled for various elective general or orthopaedic surgical procedures under general anaesthesia with controlled ventilation were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups e.g. i-gel group or LMA group by systematic random sampling technique. Anaesthesia was induced and maintained with a standard gasrelaxant-IPPV technique. Ease of insertion was noted on a 3-grade scale. After insertion of the device vital signs and oxygen saturation were monitored non-invasively. Effectiveness of the positive pressure ventilation was compared. Pharyngolaryngeal morbidity, e.g. sore throat, dysphagia, dysphonia, blood on device, neck pain and cough were noted immediately on removal of the device, and by patient interviews at 1 hour and 24 hours postoperatively. In this study both LMA-classic and i-gel were easy to insert and did not require laryngoscope for insertion. Patients of i-gel group had comparatively less pharyngolaryngeal morbidity [blood on device] than patients of LMA group [18% in LMA group while none in i-gel group]. Both supraglottic devices, LMA [classic] and i-gel can be used safely and effectively in selected patients for general anaesthesia with controlled ventilation with almost no morbidity