I-Gel versus laryngeal mask airway (LMA) classic as a conduit for tracheal intubation using ventilating bougie

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Supraglottic airways (SGAs) are generally used for airway management; but can also be used as a conduit for tracheal intubation. Our primary aim was to evaluate i-Gel and laryngeal mask airway (LMA) classic as conduits for tracheal intubation using ventilating bougie by assessing number of attempts and time for insertion of SGAs, ventilating bougie and endotracheal tube (ETT), and total intubation time. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A randomized clinical trial was carried out in 58 patients requiring general anesthesia and endotracheal intubation for planned surgery. They were randomly divided into Group I and Group C. After induction of anesthesia, i-Gel was inserted in Group I and LMA Classic in Group C; ventilating bougie was passed through SGA followed by the removal of SGA and railroading of ETT over ventilating bougie. Parameters observed were number of attempts and time taken for device insertion, total intubation time, and hemodynamic variables. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients were included in each group. First attempt success rate for SGA insertion (86.2% in Group I and 75.9% in Group C (P = 0.5)), ventilating bougie insertion (79.32% in Group I and 82.8% in Group C (P = 0.99)) and ETT insertion (100% in Group I and 96.5% in Group C) was not different in the two groups. Total intubation time was 93.3 ± 9.0 s in Group I and 108. 96 ± 16.5 s in Group C (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: i-Gel and LMA Classic both can be used as a conduit for tracheal intubation using ventilating bougie with stable hemodynamic parameters.