LMA Supreme Outperforms the i-gel for Novices

To compare the insertion success rates and ventilation profiles of the LMA Supreme and the i-gel supraglottic airway devices, researchers in Italy randomized 80 women undergoing breast surgery to airway management with one of the two devices. The 80 operators included medical students, surgeons, nurses, and social workers, all of whom received a brief didactic session and two practice insertions on simulator manikins with each device. Patient exclusion criteria were risk for aspiration (nonfasted, pregnant, body-mass index >35 kg/m², or history of reflux), potential difficult airway (mouth opening <2 cm, Mallampati class 4, limited neck extension, previous difficult intubation), American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status >3, or p…