The I‐gel®, a Single‐use Supraglottic Airway Device with a Non‐inflatable Cuff and an Esophageal Vent: an Observational Study in Children

Background: The I‐gel ® is a new single‐use supraglottic airway device with a non‐inflatable cuff. It is composed of a thermoplastic elastomer and a soft gel‐like cuff that adapts to the hypopharyngeal anatomy. Like the LMA‐ProSeal, it has an airway tube and a gastric drain tube. Little is known about its efficiency in pediatric anesthesia. Methods: Fifty children above 30 kg, ASA I–II, undergoing a short‐duration surgery were included in this prospective, observational study. We evaluated ease in inserting the I‐gel ® , seal pressure, gastric leak, complications during insertion and removal, ease in inserting the gastric tube and ventilatory parameters during positive pressure ventilation. Results: All devices were inserted at the first attempt. The mean seal pressure was 25 cmH 2 O. There was no gastric inflation and gastric tube insertion was achieved in all cases. The results appear similar to those in a previous study concerning laryngeal mask airway in terms of leak pressure and complication rates. Conclusion: Because the I‐gel ® has a very good insertion success rate and very few complications, it seems to be an efficient and safe device for pediatric airway management.