I-gel vs cuffed tracheal tube during volume controlled ventilation in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BackgroundIn this study we tested the new, single-use supraglottic airway device; i-gel with a non-inflatable cuff as an effective airway as conventional endotracheal tube. Gas leak was measured and compared with that of cuffed tracheal tube during volume controlled ventilation in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy.MethodsSixty patients, ASA I–II, were randomly selected to the study. Standard anaesthetic technique was used for all patients. The i-gel was then inserted. The lungs were ventilated at three different tidal volumes (6, 8 and 10 ml kg−1) using volume controlled ventilation (VCV). The leak volume was calculated as the difference between the inspired and expired tidal volumes. The leak fraction was also calculated as the leak volume divided by the inspired tidal volume. These observations were recorded with every tidal volume before and after pneumoperitoneum with the i-gel and the conventional tracheal tube.ResultsBefore pneumoperitoneum there was no significant difference in leak fraction between i-gel and tracheal tube at 6 and 8 ml kg−1 tidal volume. Significant differences were found after pneumoperitoneum at 8 and at 10 ml kg−1 before and after pneumoperitoneum.ConclusionWe suggest that i-gel can be used as an alternative device to endotracheal tube during VCV for laparoscopic cholecystectomy provided that peak pressure does not exceed leak pressure.