A comparative study of tracheal intubation through i-gel® and Intubating Laryngeal Mask Airway ( ILMA®).

In this prospective randomized study, success rate of blind tracheal intubation through two different supraglottic airway devices viz. i-gel ® and the intubating laryngeal mask airway (ILMA)® was compared a using conventional polyvinylchloride endotracheal tubes. Eighty patients undergoing elective surgery under general anaesthesia were randomized in two groups comprising of 40 patients each to tracheal intubation using either i-gel or ILMA. After induction of anesthesia, supraglottic airway device(SAD) was inserted and on achieving adequate ventilation with the device, the fibrescopic view of the larynx was obtained through the SAD for laryngeal grading. Then fiberscope was removed and blind tracheal intubation was attempted through the SAD. Success at first attempt and overall tracheal intubation success rates were evaluated and tracheal intubation time was measured.There was no difference in the incidence of adequate ventilation with either of the SAD. The glottic view ( Laryngeal grading ) was better in i-gel group. The grade 1 laryngeal grading was obtained in 82.5% cases in i-gel group as compared to 75% cases in ILMA group. The success rate in first attempt was 65% in i-gel group and 52.55% in ILMA group, while overall success rate was 77.5% in i-gel group as compared to 62.5% in ILMA group. Time taken for successful tracheal intubation through i-gel was lesser (20.4 sec.) as compared to ILMA (30.68 sec.) and the difference was statistically significant (p <0.001). Both the SADs were proved to be useful alternative to conventional laryngoscope for tracheal intubation. In the present study, i-gel had better success rate in tracheal intubation as compared to ILMA.