Comparison of the Intersurgical Solus laryngeal mask airway and the i-gel supralaryngeal device.

Summary We compared the performance of the Intersurgical Solus laryngeal mask airway (LMA) with that of the i-gel in 120 patients of ASA physical status during general anaesthesia with respect to oropharyngeal leak pressure, peak airway pressure, airway manipulation, insertion time, fibreoptic view, ventilatory parameters, and peri-operative complications. After receiving a standardised induction of anaesthesia, either a Solus LMA (60 patients) or an i-gel (60 patients) was inserted. One hundred and fifteen patients completed the study. The leak pressure was significantly higher in the LMA group than the i-gel group (mean (SD) 22.7 (7.7) cmH(2)O vs 19.3 (7.1) cmH(2)O; p = 0.02). A better fibreoptic view of the larynx was obtained in patients in the LMA group (p = 0.02) compared to those in the i-gel group and less airway manipulation was required in the LMA group (p < 0.01). Both devices have good performance with very low peri-operative complications. However, the Solus LMA provides a better oropharyngeal seal, provides a better fibreoptic view, and requires less manipulation to secure the airway than the i-gel.