Airway Complications During Laparoscopic Surgery Under General Anaesthesia: A Comparative Study of Endotracheal Tube Versus i-gel Supraglottic Airway
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial
Abstract: Background: Endotracheal intubation with cuffs is a standard method for managing laparoscopic surgery under general anaesthetic, but the use of second-generation supraglottic airway devices, such as the i-gel, could help minimise airway stimulation and postoperative pharyngolaryngeal morbidity in certain patients. Methods: Prospective randomized comparative study of 120 adult ASA I–II patients undergoing elective short duration laparoscopic abdominal surgery. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: Group ETT (cuffed endotracheal tube, n=60) and Group IG (i-gel, n=60). Primary outcome was composite airway complications within 24 hours, such as sore throat, cough, hoarseness, dysphagia, laryngospasm, bronchospasm, desaturation, regurgitation, aspiration, and device-related trauma. Secondary outcomes were insertion characteristics, hemodynamic response, peak airway pressure, end-tidal carbon dioxide, and airway manipulations. Results: Demographic and surgical variables were similar in both groups. The incidence of composite airways was significantly higher in Group ETT than in Group IG (45.0% vs 21.7%, p=0.007). The incidence of postoperative sore throat was higher in the ETT group (33.3% vs 13.3%, p=0.010) and cough at emergence was also higher in the ETT group (26.7% vs 8.3%, p=0.008). Mean insertion time was longer in Group ETT (31.4 ± 7.8 s) than Group IG (17.9 ± 5.6 s, p<0.001). Peak airway pressures were acceptable in both groups, but higher with ETT (24.8 ± 3.7 vs 22.6 ± 3.4 cmH2O, p=0.001). There were no aspirations, no ventilation failure and no unplanned intensive care admissions. Conclusions: i-gel was effective for ventilation, and caused less hemodynamic response and fewer airway complications compared to endotracheal intubation in carefully selected fasted adults undergoing elective laparoscopic surgery.
Authors: Akanksha Bansal, Mitali G. Patel
Institution: Sir Sayajirao General Hospital Medical College
Language: English
Subfield: Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W7164889278