SUCCESS RATE OF INSERTION AND POSTOPERATIVE SORE THROAT:I-GEL VERSUS LARYNGEAL MASK AIRWAY CLASSIC

Abstract

Introduction: Supraglottic devices are useful advent in airway management filling a gap between the facemask and tracheal tube. Laryngeal mask airway classic (LMA-C) is the first of its kind and I-gel is second generation non-inflatable one. The objective of our study was to compare the two supraglottic devices, laryngeal mask airway-classic and I-gel for a success rate of insertion and postoperative sore throat.

Materials and Methods: A total of 80 patients scheduled for elective surgery were studied in a prospective, randomized, comparative manner. They were allocated into two groups with forty in each group. After adequate anesthesia, the supraglottic devices of appropriate size were inserted. The success rate of insertion of the device was represented by the number of insertion attempts. In the postoperative ward patients were asked whether about sore throat, within 24 hours after surgery.

Results: There was a statistically difference between the two devices in terms of successful attempts of insertion. (p-value 0.02) In group I-gel, 34 out of 40 patients had first attempt insertion success, 6 patients in the second attempt. In group 2, first-time insertion success was in 14 patients, 23 patients in the second attempt, and 3 patients in the third attempt. The incidence of postoperative sore throat was higher in the LMA-C group than the I-gel group(17.5% vs 5% respectively) with a p-value of 0.154.

Conclusion: Compared to the laryngeal mask airway classic, I-gel was inserted with less number of attempts and had a lower incidence of postoperative sore throat.