Surya Gowthami Katika 1 , Sampatirao Sudha Madhuri 2 , Gopala Krishna Murthy Sistla 3 , Kameswara Rao Anmangi Subramanya 4
BACKGROUND I-gel and LMA supreme are single use second generation supraglottic airway devices. The objectives of this study are to compare the number of attempts of insertion, ease and time taken for insertion, airway leak pressure and complications during usage of these devices. MATERIALS AND METHODS Randomised single-blinded prospective study was conducted with sixty patients of ASA physical status I and II assigned into two groups undergoing elective procedures under general anaesthesia. The device was chosen according to weight of patient. We assessed the mean time of insertion in seconds, ease of insertion, number of attempts of insertion, oropharyngeal seal pressure, ease of insertion of gastric tube, complications postoperatively. RESULTS There was no difference between the demographic data in our study. Mean time for placement of i-gel was greater than LMA supreme (p=0.0001). LMA supreme was easily inserted in 93% compared to 57% in i-gel group (p=0.002. LMA supreme is superior to i-gel in comparison of number of attempts for supraglottic device placement (p=0.026). There was no statistically significant difference between two groups in oropharyngeal seal pressure (p=0.398). There was no incidence of desaturation, dental trauma or laryngospasm in both the groups. Blood staining of i-gel was noted in 3 cases and 2 cases of LMA supreme had complaints of postoperative sore throat. CONCLUSION Both i-gel and LMA supreme provided a satisfactory and secure airway during elective procedures under general anaesthesia. LMA supreme has a slight edge over i-gel in being superior to i-gel in terms of shorter time taken for insertion, number of attempts for insertion during anaesthesia. Both devices are similar in other aspects.
