A Randomized Comparison of the I-gel and the ProSeal Laryngeal Mask Airway in Pediatric Patients: Performance and Fiberoptic Findings

Purpose: We compared the insertion performance of the pediatric size 1.5-3 i-gel airway device with that of the ProSeal laryngeal mask airway (PLMA) in anesthetized children in a prospective, randomized, controlled manner.

Methods: We included 134 children, aged 3 months to 15 years, scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia. They were randomly divided into the i-gel and the PLMA groups according to the airway device used. The primary outcome variable was oropharyngeal leak pressure. Other outcome variables were ease of insertion, required time for insertion, fiberoptic view, and first-attempt and overall success rates.

Results: There were no differences in the ease of insertion, insertion time, or leak pressure between the devices. Fiberoptic view was significantly better with the i-gel than with the PLMA (P = 0.002). The view was significantly better with the sizes 2, 2.5, and 3 i-gel than with the size 1.5 i-gel (P = 0.02, 0.004 and 0.002, respectively), and the view was significantly better with the sizes 2.5 and 3 PLMA than with the size 1.5 PLMA (P = 0.02 and 0.005, respectively). The first-attempt success rates were 94 and 97 % in the i-gel and the PLMA groups, respectively; the success rates including the second attempt were 100 % in both groups. No children developed side effects requiring treatment with either device.

Conclusion: Both the pediatric i-gel and the PLMA were successfully inserted in children. The fiberoptic view was better with the i-gel than with the PLMA.