A study comparing two second generation supraglottic Airway devices, the VBM intubating laryngeal tube and the I-Gel.

This is a study comparing the use of a newer generation laryngeal mask to the 2nd generation widely used at present. The company responsible for the manufacture of this product is VBM Medizintechnik GmBH, Germany. The recent difficult airway society guidelines recommend the use of these newer generation devices and this has been the incentive to conduct this project. These newer generation supraglottic devices have an additional feature which is an extension of the mask with a balloon that sits in the oesophagus. The trial is investigating ease of placement of these devices, ventilatory pressures, leak pressure and ease of intubation through the VBM device compared to I-Gel. The position of the supraglottic device on insertion and the position of the endotracheal tube will be confirmed with a fibrescope. A follow up will take place on the same day and after 24 hours for symptoms of a sore throat postoperatively.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Any patient between the age of 18 - 70
2. Any patient having the capacity to consent
3. Any patient requiring general anaesthesia but not endotracheal intubation immediately after induction of anaesthesia.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patient refusal
2. Patients involved in another research project
3. Patients who require endotracheal intubation immediately after induction of anaesthesia
4. Patients who are systemically unwell/unstable
5. Patients at risk of aspiration

No individual participant data will be made available