A comparison of I-gel with the LMA-classic in spontaneously breathing patients

Introduction Laryngeal mask airway (LMA) is a supraglottic airway device ( SAD), which was primarily designed to facilitate airway maintenance. Thereafter, many modifications have been made in the SADs, and I-gel is a recent one, which has a unique characteristic of a self-inflatable cuff. It is claimed to be better in terms of ease and success of insertion, risk of complications, etc. Aims and objectives The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the insertion characteristics and complication rate of classic LMA with I-gel. Materials and methods Eighty patients of American Society of Anaesthesiologists I/II, between 16 and 60 years of age, of either sex were randomly divided into two groups of 40 patients each. In respective groups, classic LMA or I-gel were introduced under spontaneous ventilation. Insertion characteristics such as number of attempts at insertion, ease of insertion, better seal, etc. were studied. Proper positioning was confirmed as per fiberoptic view of the glottis. Patients were continuously monitored and hemodynamic variables were studied at frequent intervals. We also recorded the complications at the time of extubation, if any. Data were statistically analyzed using t-test and the χ2-test. A P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results I-gel required less time to insertion (29.32 ± 6.88) compared with cLMA (36.72 ± 7.33 s) (P 0.05). Airway leak pressure was significantly higher among patients of the I-gel group (26.12 ± 7.41 cm H2O) compared with the LMA group (20.77 ± 8.20 cm H2O) (P = 0.003). Statistically significant difference was found between the two groups as regards the assessment of patients after removal of the SAD. Fiberoptic view of vocal cords was better in the I-gel group. Conclusion Insertion of I-gel was easier and quicker and proper positioning was achieved in more number of patients as compared with classic LMA. Moreover, there were fewer complications noted at the time of removal of the device.