Assessment of the I-gel and Air-Q Supraglottic Airways as Conduits for Tracheal Intubation in Children

A Randomized Comparison of the I-gel and Air-Q as Conduits for Fiberoptic-guided Tracheal Intubation in Children

The purpose of this study is to determine if there is a difference in time for successful fiberoptic guided tracheal intubation through the i-gel or air-Q supraglottic airway.

The goal of this randomized study is to evaluate the efficacy of the i-gel as a conduit for fiberoptic tracheal intubation when compared to the air-Q in children. Intubations will be performed by residents in training. The primary outcome is of time for successful tracheal intubation. The investigators hypothesize that residents will intubate the trachea faster when using the air-Q as compared to the i-gel. The ease of placement of the supraglottic airway device, fiberoptic grade of laryngeal view, time for device removal after intubation, and peri-operative complications will also be assessed.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children undergoing general anesthesia requiring tracheal intubation
• Age one month to six years

Exclusion Criteria:

• ASA class IV, V
• Children receiving emergent surgery
• History or high suspicion of a difficult airway
• Active upper respiratory tract infection