European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Introduction: Supraglottic airway devices (SADs) are used to keep the upper airway
open to provide unobstructed ventilation. I-gel is a second generation extraglottic
airway device. SADs now provide successful rescue ventilation in > 90% of patients in
whom mask ventilation or tracheal intubation is found to be impossible.The present
study was carried to observe the hemodynamic changes following insertion of I-gel and
to evaluate any incidence of post – operative sore throat or any other side effects.
Material and Methods: A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted on 40
patients scheduled for elective surgical procedures and requiring controlled ventilation.
Patients were induced with thiopentone 4-6 mg/kg. Size 3 I-gel was used in patients
weighing 30-60 kg and size 4 I-gel was used in patients weighing 60-90 kg. Correct I-gel
insertion was assessed clinically by subjective assessment of appropriate length of
airway tube outside the mouth, gastric insufflation and adequacy of manual ventilation
which was assessed by proper chest expansion and presence of CO2 waveform.
Results: Slight rise in MAP of 97.58±9.29 mmHg from BL value of 93.13±9.03 was
observed (p=0.836). The mean %age rise was 4.66±2.83 after insertion of the I-gel in
comparison with the base line value. It was found to be statistically insignificant.
Oxygen saturation was maintained between 99-100% for all the patients till the end of
the surgery. There was not any significant change in the ETCO2 after I-gel insertion. As
revealed from the data there was very less incidence of post-operative complications.
Two patients complained of sore throat at 6 hours and 24 hours post-operatively.