Comparison of clinical performance of I-GEL and proseal LMA in elective surgeries

BACKGROUND: Objective: I-gel is a novel supraglottic airway device without an inflatable cuff which differentiates it from other supraglottic airway devices. This study was carried out to compare the clinical performance of I-gel with PLMA in adult patients undergoing elective surgeries under general anaesthesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective randomised controlled study was carried out in 60 ASA I/II patients undergoing elective surgeries. They were randomly divided into two groups comprising of 30 patients each. GROUP-I: Patients in whom I GEL was inserted. Group-P: Patients in whom PLMA (Proseal laryngeal mask airway) was inserted. Following parameters were recorded, tabulated and statistically analysed in both the groups, Effective airway time, attempts for insertion of the device and nasogastric tube, hemodynamic changes, oxygen saturation, EtCO2 and post operative complications. RESULTS: In our study, the Effective airway time was significantly less in I-gel group (17.63 ± 2.22 sec) compared to PLMA group (30.93 ± 2.67 sec), p < 0.001. Regarding ease of insertion, attempts for insertion of airway device and nasogastric tube, hemodynamic changes, oxygen saturation, EtCO2 and post operative complications were comparable in both the groups. CONCLUSION: Thus I-Gel is an acceptable alternative supraglottic airway device to PLMA with significantly lesser time of insertion.