Comparison of supraglottic airway devices blockbuster® laryngeal mask airway and i-gel® for ease of insertion and as conduit for endotracheal intubation in adult

Background: BlockBuster® Laryngeal Mask Airway, a newer supraglottic airway device, is claimed to be an efficient conduit for endotracheal intubation. I-gel® is an established supraglottic airway device that has been in use for a while. Aims and Objectives: This randomized study was undertaken to evaluate the success rate of blind intubation using either of these supraglottic airway devices (SADs) and their ease of insertion. Materials and Methods: Sixty-two patients of age group 20–60 years undergoing abdominal surgery under general anaesthesia were randomized in two groups, of 31 patients each, for tracheal intubation using either BlockBuster® Laryngeal mask airway (LMA) (Group B) or I-gel® (Group I). After induction of anaesthesia, SADs were inserted, and on achieving adequate ventilation with the device, ease of insertion of SAD, time taken to insert SAD, and number of attempts were noted. Blind intubation was attempted through the SAD. The primary objective was to determine the time taken for the insertion of both the SADs. Moreover, secondary outcomes were ease of SAD insertion, success rate of blind endotracheal intubation, time taken for intubation, and blood staining after SAD removal. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences V27 software. Results: I-gel® (33±4.5 s). Insertion required significantly less time and was easier to insert when compared with BlockBuster® LMA (56±11.52 s) I-gel® also required fewer attempts for insertion, but it was not statistically significant. BlockBuster® LMA (93.5%) had a significantly higher success rate for blind endotracheal intubation in comparison with I-gel® (45.2%). Blood staining after removal of the LMA was found to be significantly more in Blockbuster LMA (35.5%) than I-Gel (9.7%). Conclusion: Our study showed I-gel® to be superior to Blockbuster® LMA in terms of ease of insertion, Insertion time of LMA, and causing less oropharyngeal trauma. But BlockBuster LMA found to be better than I-gel® in terms of a higher success rate of blind endotracheal intubation.