title: A comparison of the i-gel with the LMA-Unique in non-paralysed anaesthetised adult patients.
abstract: This study assessed two disposable devices; the newly developed supraglottic airway device i-gel and the LMA-Unique in routine clinical practice. Eighty patients (ASA 1-3) undergoing minor routine gynaecologic surgery were randomly allocated to have an i-gel (n = 40) or LMA-Unique (n = 40) inserted. Oxygen saturation, end-tidal carbon dioxide, tidal volume and peak airway pressure were recorded, as well as time of insertion, airway leak pressure, postoperative sore-throat, dysphonia and dysphagia for each device. Time of insertion was comparable with the i-gel and LMA-Unique. There was no failure in the i-gel group and one failure in the LMA-Unique group. Ventilation and oxygenation were similar between devices. Mean airway pressure was comparable with both devices, whereas airway leak pressure was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) in the i-gel group (mean 29 cmH(2)O, range 24-40) compared with the LMA-Unique group (mean 18 cmH(2)O, range 6-30). Fibreoptic score of the position of the devices was significantly better in the i-gel group. Post-operative sore-throat and dysphagia were comparable with both devices. Both devices appeared to be simple alternatives to secure the airway. Significantly higher airway leak pressure suggests that the i-gel may be advantageous in this respect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Francksen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Renner
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hanss
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Scholz
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Doerges
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D004209:Disposable Equipment; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures; D006801:Humans; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal / Q000295:instrumentation; D017214:Laryngeal Masks / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013511:Minor Surgical Procedures; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013990:Tidal Volume
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen