Endotracheal intubation produces reflex sympathetic stimulation and is associated with hypertension, tachycardia, myocardial ischemia, ventricular arrhythmias and intracranial hypertension.

The objectives of our study were to compare the supraglottic airway devices, PLMA(size 4) and i-gel (size 4)for :ease of insertion and haemodynamic changes.

The study was conducted in 60 ASA I and II patients, 18-50 years, 50 to 70 kg posted for elective surgeries under general anaesthesia at KLE Hospital, Belgaum. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups, Group A. i-gel (n=30) and Group B. PLMA (n=30). Ease of insertion was recorded as easy or difficult. Pulse rate and MAP were recorded as baseline value, after insertion, at 5 mins, 10 mins and 30 mins. Both the groups were compared using unpaired Student ‘t’ test with regard to pulse rate and mean arterial pressure. Ease of insertion was analysed by fisher exact test. Significance was taken as 0.05 or less.

Changes in MAP were significant after insertion, 5, 10 minutes with MAP being higher in group B. Changes in pulse rate were comparable in both groups. Group A was easier to insert, though statistically insignificant.(28/30 vs 22/30). Conclusion: The i-gel was easier to insert than PLMA in anaesthetized paralysed adult patients and also produced lesser haemodynamic changes. The i-gel may be used as an alternative to endotracheal intubation in high risk patients such as uncontrolled hypertensives, IHD patients.