Intubation Success through I Gel(r) and Intubating Laryngeal Mask Airway(r) Using Flexible Silicone Tubes: A Randomised Noninferiority Trial
Introduction. The study aims to test whether flexible silicone tubes (FST) improve performance and provide similar intubation success through I Gel as compared to ILMA. Our trial is registered in CTRI and the registration number is "CTRI/2016/06/006997." Methods. One hundred and twenty ASA status I II patients scheduled for elective surgical procedures needing tracheal intubation were randomised to endotracheal intubation using FST through either I Gel or ILMA. In the ILMA group (n 60) intubation was attempted through ILMA using FST and, in the I Gel group (n 60) FST was inserted through I Gel airway. Results. Successful intubation was achieved in 36.67% (95% CI 24.48% 48.86% on first attempt through I Gel (n 22/60) compared to 68.33% (95% CI 56.56% 80.1% in ILMA (n 41/60) (p 0.001) The overall intubation success rate was also lower with I Gel group [58.3% (95% CI 45.82% 70.78% n 35] compared to ILMA [90% (95% CI 82.41% 97.59% n 54] (p 0.001) The number of attempts, ease of intubation, and time to intubation were longer with I Gel compared to ILMA. There were no differences in the other secondary outcomes. Conclusion. The first pass success rate and overall success of FST through an I Gel airway were inferior to those of ILMA.
Anesthesiology research and practice