title: A performance comparison of the paediatric i-gel with other supraglottic airway devices.
abstract: We performed a review of published literature comparing the i-gel with other supraglottic airway devices in children. Sixty-two articles were identified following a literature search; we included data from 14 randomised controlled trials and eight observational studies that compared i-gel sizes 1-2.5 with other commonly used, equivalently-sized, devices. The primary outcome in most studies was oropharyngeal leak pressure. In the 14 randomised trials the i-gel performed the same as the comparator device in five trials, significantly better in eight studies (p < 0.05) and significantly worse in one (p < 0.01). Seven studies assessed fibreoptic views of the larynx through the device; two found significantly better views through the i-gel. Three studies reported a shorter insertion time for the i-gel, whereas two reported a longer time. Insertion success rate, gastric tube placement and complications were similar for all the devices. Seven of the eight observational studies measured average oropharyngeal leak pressures of 20-27 cmH2O and all had first-time insertion success rates exceeding 90%. We conclude that the i-gel is at least equivalent to other supraglottic airway devices currently available for use in children, and may enable a higher oropharyngeal leak pressure and an improved fibreoptic view of the glottis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthetics, Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Bailey
mesh_terms: D015982:Bias; D002648:Child; D004867:Equipment Design; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D017214:Laryngeal Masks / Q000009:adverse effects; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors