[Comparison of Two Supraglottic Airway Devices on Postoperative Sore Throat in Children: a Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial]

Background And Objective: Sore throat is well recognized complaint after receiving general anesthesia. This study is conducted to compare the severity and frequency of postoperative sore throat in children undergoing elective surgery - following the use of Ambu laryngeal mask airway) or I-gel® - who are able to self-report postoperative sore throat.

Method: Seventy children, 6 to 16 years-old, undergoing elective surgery randomly allocated to either Ambu laryngeal mask (Ambu Group) or I-gel® (I-gel Group). After the procedure, patients were interviewed in the recovery room immediately, after one hour, 6 and 24 hours postoperatively by an independent observer blinded to the device used intra-operatively.

Results: On arrival in the recovery room 17.1% (n=6) of children of the Ambu Group complained of postoperative sore throat, against 5.7% in I-gel Group (n=2). After one hour, the results were similar. After 6 hours, postoperative sore throat was found in 8.6% (n=3) of the children in Ambu group vs. 2.9% (n=1) in I-gel Group. After 24hours, 2.9% (n=1) of the kids in Ambu Group compared to none in I-gel Group. There was no significant difference found in the incidence of postoperative sore throat in both devices on arrival (p=0.28); after 1 hour (p=0.28); after 6 hours (p=0.30); and after 24 hours (p=0.31). The duration of the insertion was shorter in Ambu Group and it was easier to insert the I-gel® (p=0.029). Oropharyngeal seal pressure of I-gel® was higher than that of Ambu laryngeal mask (p=0.001).

Conclusion: The severity and frequency of postoperative sore throat in children is not statistically significant in the I-gel Group compared to Ambu Group.