Objectives: This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety profile of two supraglottic airway devices, the I-Gel and the Laryngeal Mask Airway Classic (C-LMA) in the patients undergoing general anesthesia for elective lower abdominal and lower limb surgeries.
Methods: A total of 60 surgical patients aged 50-70 years, with ASA grade I and II, were enrolled and divided into two groups: the I-Gel group (n=30) and the C-LMA group (n=30). Demographic characteristics, insertion characteristics, hemodynamic stability, airway sealing pressure, and complications were compared between the two groups.
Results: Demographic characteristics, including age, weight, gender distribution, ASA grade, and type of surgery, was comparable between the I-Gel and C-LMA groups.
In a comparative study between I-Gel and C-LMA groups, the I-Gel demonstrated a significantly faster mean insertion time of 10.0± 3.4 seconds as compared to 18.8± 3.2 seconds for the C-LMA group (t=3.58, p=0.032). Ease of insertion was higher in the I-Gel group with 96.6% reporting easy insertion versus 66.66% in the C-LMA group. Additionally, the I-Gel achieved better airway sealing pressure (24.4 cmH2O vs. 19.2 cmH2O, p=0.023) and had significantly fewer complications like sore throat and hoarseness.
Conclusion: The study suggests that the I-Gel device outperforms the C-LMA in various aspects of airway management, including shorter insertion times, better hemodynamic stability, superior airway sealing pressure, and fewer postoperative complications.
Key words: Supraglottic airway devices, I-Gel, Laryngeal Mask Airway Classic (C-LMA), airway sealing pressures.