The i-gel, a new supraglottic airway

Abstract

The i-gel, invented by Muhammed Aslam Nasir, is a new supraglottic airway, consisting of a mask and a tube. One notable feature of the i-gel is that the rim of the mask is designed to conform to the anatomical shape of the larynx. This enables the device to provide an airtight seal without the cuff mechanism. The mask is made of styrene ethylene butadiene styrene (SEBS), and changes its form, based on each patient's laryngeal anatomy. The tube consists of a breathing and a drain tube. It is possible to intubate the trachea through the breathing tube, and to insert a gastric tube through the drain tube. We used the i-gel in 20 adults who were breathing spontaneously under general anesthesia. In all, but one, patients, insertion was successful at the first attempt, with the mean insertion time of 12 s (range 8-25 s). It was also always possible to insert a gastric tube through the i-gel. No airway complications occurred during the anesthesia, and spontaneous breathing could be maintained. No blood was detected on the device, after uneventful removal in all the patients. We believe that the i-gel is useful in maintaining a clear airway during general anesthesia.