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Our revolutionary single use, supraglottic airway, i-gel™, is indicated for use in resuscitation as well as in anaesthesia and is included in the new European Resuscitation Council Guidelines for Resuscitation 2010¹, where it is described as very easy to insert and requiring only minimal training¹.

i-gel was launched in 2007 and since then has become the supraglottic airway of choice in many hospitals in the UK, Europe and across the world. The rapid and easy insertion, improved safety provided by the gastric channel, low post-operative complications and high seal pressures, provide benefits to both clinician and patient².

A number of case reports and clinical studies have since highlighted the potential advantages i-gel offers in the resuscitation scenario3-6, where seconds can make all the difference. With its unique, soft, non-inflatable cuff, valuable time is not wasted deflating and inflating a cuff. This allows a patent airway to be established in the quickest possible time. In many cases, insertion can be achieved in less than 5 seconds7.

For those personnel suitably trained and experienced in the use of airway management devices and advanced life support techniques, i-gel offers a new and exciting option for establishing a patent airway during resuscitation of the unconscious patient.

References

  1. JP Nolan, J Soar, D. A. Zideman, D Biarent, L L Bossaert, C Deakin, R. W. Koster, J Wyllie, B. Böttiger, on behalf of the ERC Guidelines Writing Group. European Resuscitation Council Guidelines for Resuscitation 2010. Section 1. Executive Summary. Resuscitation 81 (2010) 1219–1276
  2. Richez B, Saltel L, Banchereau F, Torrielli, Cros AM: A new single use supraglottic airway with a noninflatable cuff and an esophageal vent: An observational study of the i-gel: Anesth Analg. 2008 Apr;106(4):1137-9
  3. Gatward JJ, Thomas MJC, Nolan JP, Cook TM: Effect of chest compressions on the time taken to insert airway devices in a manikin: Br J Anaesth. 2008 Mar;100(3):351-6
  4. Gabbott DA, Beringer R: The i-gel supraglottic airway: A potential role for resuscitation?: Resuscitation. 2007 Apr;73(1):161-2
  5. Soar J: The i-gel supraglottic airway and resuscitation – some initial thoughts: Resuscitation. 2007 Jul;74(1):197
  6. UK Resuscitation Council Advanced Life Support Guide (5th Edition). Revised June 2008
  7. Bamgbade OA, Macnab WR, Khalaf WM: Evaluation of the i-gel airway in 300 patients. Eur J Anaesthesiol. 2008 Oct;25(10):865-6