title: Randomized comparison of the i-gel™, the LMA Supreme™, and the Laryngeal Tube Suction-D using clinical and fibreoptic assessments in elective patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The i-gel™, LMA-Supreme (LMA-S) and Laryngeal Tube Suction-D (LTS-D) are single-use supraglottic airway devices with an inbuilt drainage channel. We compared them with regard to their position in situ as well as to clinical performance data during elective surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, randomized, comparative study of three groups of 40 elective surgical patients each. Speed of insertion and success rates, leak pressures (LP) at different cuff pressures, dynamic airway compliance, and signs of postoperative airway morbidity were recorded. Fibreoptic evaluation was used to determine the devices' position in situ.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Leak pressures were similar (i-gel™ 25.9, LMA-S 27.1, LTS-D 24.0 cmH2O; the latter two at 60 cmH2O cuff pressure) as were insertion times (i-gel™ 10, LMA-S 11, LTS-D 14 sec). LP of the LMA-S was higher than that of the LTS-D at lower cuff pressures (p <0.05). Insertion success rates differed significantly: i-gel™ 95%, LMA-S 95%, LTS-D 70% (p <0.05). The fibreoptically assessed position was more frequently suboptimal with the LTS-D but this was not associated with impaired ventilation. Dynamic airway compliance was highest with the i-gel™ and lowest with the LTS-D (p <0.05). Airway morbidity was more pronounced with the LTS-D (p <0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All devices were suitable for ventilating the patients' lungs during elective surgery.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  German Clinical Trial Register DRKS00000760.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology, Emergency and Intensive Care Medicine, University Medical Centre Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Straße 40, Göttingen, 37083, Germany. s.russo@medizin.uni-goettingen.de.
authors.forename: Sebastian G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cremer
authors.forename: Tamara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Galli
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Eich
authors.forename: Anselm
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bräuer
authors.forename: Thomas A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Crozier
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.forename: Micha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Strack