• Takashi Asai and Akira Kawashima.
• Department of Anesthesiology, Kansai Medical University, Moriguchi 570-8506.
• Masui. 2011 Jun 1;60(6):739-42.

BackgroundThe i-gel, which has been introduced into clinical practice in Japan in 2010, has a potential role in maintaining a clear airway during general anesthesia.MethodsWe retrospectively studied the efficacy of the i-gel in 120 patients who had undergone elective surgery under general anesthesia.ResultsIt was always possible to insert the i-gel at the first attempt. However, there was gasleak around the device in 5 patients, and the device was reinserted. It was possible to obtain adequate ventilation via the i-gel in 117 patients (97.5%) within two attempts at insertion. Insertion was judged easy in 106 patients, somewhat difficult in 12 patients, and difficult in 2 patients. The mean minimum airway pressure at which gas leaked around the device was 26.4 cmH2O, with no gasleak at the airway pressure of 30 cmH2O in 66 of 120 patients. In no patients, did any airway complications, such as airway obstruction, occur during positive pressure ventilation, during the return of spontaneous breathing around the end of surgery, and during emergence from anesthesia. After removal of the i-gel, there was no stain of blood on the device.ConclusionsWe believe that the i-gel is useful in maintaining a clear airway during general anesthesia.

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