iGEL vs laryngeal tube for airway management during a normal airway scenario

We read with a great interest the article entitled “Which option for ventilation is optimal for resuscitation performed by nurses? Pilot data” [ ]. The authors in this article compare the effectiveness of ventilation using a self-expanding bag with a face mask and a self-expanding bag with a connected iGEL supraglottic device. The current American Heart Association guidelines allow the usage of supraglottic devices for ventilation during resuscitation. Additionally after verifying the correctness of the device installation they allow for continuous chest compressions without the need for breaks to perform breaths [ ]. Admittedly, the Kaminska et al. [ ] was carried out in simulated cardiopulmonary resuscitation conditions, however, as indicated by numerous studies supraglottic ventilation devices are also applicable in other situations, such as intubation of a traumatic patient [ ] or during face-to-face intubation [ ]. The effectiveness of ventilation devices was also compared with numerous video laryngoscopes, where the analyzed parameters were: effectiveness of respiratory protection and ventilation by SADs. There were also “blind intubation” attempts where supraglottic ventilation devices were also used as a guide for the endotracheal tube [ , , ]. To sum up the aforementioned studies the supraglottic ventilation devices are characterized by high effectiveness of airway patency protection and short time of performing the procedure. The search for new methods of maintaining the airway patency takes a special place in emergency medicine as the rapid execution of these procedures is crucial for the patient's survival.