Initial anatomic investigations of the I-gel airway: a novel supraglottic airway without inflatable cuff.
The I-gel airway is a novel supraglottic airway that uses an anatomically designed mask made of a gel-like thermoplastic elastomer. We studied the positioning and mechanics of this new device in 65 non-embalmed cadavers with 73 endoscopies (eight had repeat insertion), 16 neck dissections, and six neck radiographs. A full view of the glottis (percentage of glottic opening score 100%) occurred in 44/73 insertions, whereas only 3/73 insertions had epiglottis-only views. Including the eight repeat insertions with a different size, a glottic opening score of > 50% was obtained in all 65 cadavers. The mean percentage of glottic opening score for the 73 insertions was 82% (95% confidence interval 75-89%). In each of the neck dissections and radiographs the bowl of the device covered the laryngeal inlet. We found that the I-gel effectively conformed to the perilaryngeal anatomy despite the lack of an inflatable cuff and it consistently achieved proper positioning for supraglottic ventilation.
Levitan
R M
RM
Albert Einstein Medical Center, Emergency Medicine Department, 5501 Old York Road, Philadelphia, PA 19141, USA.
Kinkle
W C
WC
D004825:Epiglottis / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D017214:Laryngeal Masks; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D007830:Larynx / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008297:Male; D009333:Neck / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D037981:Neck Dissection; D011095:Polyethylenes; D011137:Polystyrenes; D011859:Radiography
D011095:Polyethylenes; D011137:Polystyrenes; C050192:styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene-block copolymer