Abstract

*Dr. Sunil Kumar T. S., Dr. Shamshad Beegum T. S., Dr. Juby E.V. and Dr. Sivaranjini K.

ABSTRACT

Background: Supraglottic airway devices have revolutionized airway management and are an excellent alternative to mask ventilation and tracheal intubation. Newer supraglottic airway devices have been designed to improve efficacy in terms of airway seal, and safety in terms of protection from gastric aspiration but with conflicting results concerning the attempts at successful insertion, ease of insertion, and adverse effects. Methods: 134 patients were randomly allocated to use either I-gel or LMA Supreme for airway management following intravenous induction. Number of attempts for successful placement of the device, the ease of insertion and incidence of postoperative sore throat were observed. Results: In I-gel group; 92.5% patient‘s airway was secured within the first two attempts (considered ?easy?) and in 7.5%, more than two attempts were needed (considered ?difficult?), where as in LMA Supreme group, 89.6% insertions were ?easy? and 10.4% were ?difficult? although the difference is statistically insignificant (p value =0.54). LMA Supreme needed lesser manipulations for effective ventilation (3% versus 16.4%, p value 0.009). 11.9% patients in Group I developed sore throat within the first 24 hours compared to 28.4% in Group S (p value 0.017). Conclusion: From our observations, we conclude that, I-gel was better than LMA Supreme in first time insertion success rate and ease of insertion and the incidence of postoperative sore throat was more with LMA Supreme.