Abstract

Supraglottic airway devices (SADs) play a pivotal role in pediatric anesthesia, offering an alternative to endotracheal intubation. Among these devices, the i-gel supraglottic airway has gained attention for its purported ease of insertion and minimal risk of airway trauma. However, comparative efficacy data, especially in pediatric populations, remain limited. Materials and Methods: This one-year randomized clinical trial compared the efficacy of the i-gel with a comparator SAD in pediatric patients (aged 1-12 years) undergoing elective surgical procedures under general anesthesia. Participants (n=120) were randomly allocated to receive either the i-gel or the comparator SAD. Ease of insertion, insertion time, airway sealing pressure, insertion success rate, and incidence of complications were assessed as primary and secondary outcome measures. Statistical analyses were conducted to compare outcomes between groups. Results: Participants in the i-gel group demonstrated significantly higher ease of insertion scores (p<0.05), faster insertion times (p<0.05), and higher airway sealing pressures (p<0.05) compared to the comparator SAD group. Additionally, the i-gel group exhibited a higher insertion success rate. While both groups experienced low rates of airway trauma, postoperative sore throat was more prevalent in the comparator SAD group (p<0.05). Subgroup analysis based on age revealed that insertion with the i-gel was significantly easier in children aged 1-5 years compared to the Comparator SAD. Conclusion: The i-gel supraglottic airway demonstrated superior efficacy in terms of ease of insertion, insertion time, airway sealing pressure, and incidence of postoperative sore throat compared to a comparator SAD in pediatric patients undergoing general anesthesia. These findings support the use of the i-gel as a preferred airway management device in pediatric anesthesia, emphasizing its potential to enhance perioperative outcomes

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