Comparison of tracheal intubation using i-gel™ & air-Q™ intubating LMA

Abstract

Objective: Various supraglottic devices (SGD’s) have been used as a conduit for tracheal intubation particularly in difficult airway situations when an endotracheal tube is a must. Various SGD’s tried for this purpose include Intubating Laryngeal Mask Airway also called the C-Trach™ laryngeal mask, LMA Fastrach™, air-Q™ intubating LMA and the i-gel™ supraglottic airway. In this study we used air-Q™ LMA and i-gel™ for blind tracheal intubation in patients with normal airways and compared the rates of successful intubation.

Methodology: 100 patients were randomly divided into two groups. For Group A, air-Q™ was used for blind tracheal intubation while for Group B i-gel™ LMA was used. Correct placement of ETT was confirmed by capnography.

Results: Success rate for blind tracheal intubation through air-Q™ was 82% while that for i-gel it was 54% (p-value 0.003).

Citation: Raza A, Khan TH. Comparison of tracheal intubation using i-gel™ & air-Q™ intubating LMA. Anaesth Pain & intensive Care 2014;18(4):367-70