Case series: Protection from aspiration and failure of protection from aspiration with the i-gel airway

Abstract

We present three patients of regurgitation while using the i-gel supraglottic airway in 280 patients. In two patients, the i-gel completely protected the airway from aspiration. In one patient, it did not provide complete protection. The i-gel has features designed to separate the airway and gastro-intestinal tracts and as such should offer some protection against aspiration. However, the efficacy of these features has not been confirmed, and further study is required to determine the safety profile of the device. © The Board of Management and Trustees of the British Journal of Anaesthesia 2008. All rights reserved.