title: Clinical evaluation of the v-gel supraglottic airway device in comparison with a classical laryngeal mask and endotracheal intubation in cats during spontaneous and controlled mechanical ventilation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare airway management during induction of anaesthesia, in spontaneous ventilation and controlled mechanical ventilation (CMV), using a cat-specific supraglottic airway device (the v-gel), a classical laryngeal mask (LM) or an endotracheal tube (ETT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, randomized clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-five healthy cats.
  
  
  METHODS
  After premedication, cats were randomly allocated to one of three groups to secure the airway: 1) v-gel; 2) LM; or 3) ETT (cuff pressure: 20 cm H2O). Cats were anaesthetized for elective procedures. The dose of propofol necessary to insert the v-gel, LM or ETT, the number of attempts required to achieve insertion and leakage during spontaneous ventilation and CMV at different peak inspiratory pressures (8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 cm H2O) were recorded. Leakage of >20% of tidal volume was considered as a criterion for exclusion. Significance was set at a p-value of <0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cats in the v-gel group required a median (range) of 3 mg kg(-1) (2-5 mg kg(-1)) of propofol for successful placement, which was significantly less than the 5 mg kg(-1) (3-7 mg kg(-1)) required for endotracheal intubation (p = 0.005). No significant difference in the total dose of propofol was observed between the v-gel and LM [3 mg kg(-1) (2-7 mg kg(-1))] groups or the ETT and LM groups. Significantly more cats in the ETT group were excluded for leakage of >20% during CMV at all pressure settings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The v-gel is a practical alternative to the LM and ETT for securing the airway after induction of anaesthesia and for CMV up to 16 cm H2O in healthy cats. The v-gel can be inserted at a more superficial level of anaesthesia than the ETT and showed significantly less leakage during CMV than the ETT.
authors.affiliation: Section of Anaesthesiology, Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Sarah A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Prasse
authors.affiliation: Section of Small Animal Reproduction, Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schrack
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wenger
authors.affiliation: Section of Anaesthesiology, Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mosing
mesh_terms: D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats / Q000502:physiology*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000662:veterinary*; D017214:Laryngeal Masks / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: cat; controlled mechanical ventilation; endotracheal tube; laryngeal mask; v-gel