I-gel versus cuffed endotracheal tube in elective cesarean section : double-blind randomized study

Background The role of supraglottic airway devices in general anesthesia for cesarean section (CS) has been controversial, although there is increasing evidence for their use in the diffi cult obstetric airway, especially in those with esophageal drains as the I-gel. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate safety of the I-gel as an effective airway compared with the traditional use of cuffed endotracheal tube ( ETT) in elective CS. Materials and methods Eighty parturient women, ASA I–II, scheduled for elective CS were randomly selected in this study. Under general anesthesia, the I-gel was compared with ETT as regards ease of insertion, insertion time, and success rate of insertion after fi rst attempt, bucking at the end of surgery, and complications, which included trauma and laryngeal spasm. Other measurements included regurge and/or aspiration and air lack during ventilation using I-gel. Results I-gel was signifi cantly better compared with ETT in terms of the ease of insertion (P = 0.016), success rate after fi rst attempt (P = 0.044), bucking before removal (P = 0.043), laryngeal spasm (P = 0.044), and postoperative complications, which included sore throat and trauma (P = 0.003). Conclusion I-gel is an easy, safe, and effective alternative airway device compared with the traditional use of cuffed ETT in elective CS.