Comparison of two supraglottic airway devices on postoperative sore throat in children: a prospective randomized controlled trial

Background and objective: Sore throat is well recognized complaint after receiving general anesthesia. This study is conducted to compare the severity and frequency of postoperative sore throat in children undergoing elective surgery – following the use of Ambu laryngeal mask airway) or I‐gel® – who are able to self‐report postoperative sore throat. Method: Seventy children, 6 to 16 years‐old, undergoing elective surgery randomly allocated to either Ambu laryngeal mask (Ambu Group) or I‐gel® (I‐gel Group). After the procedure, patients were interviewed in the recovery room immediately, after one hour, 6 and 24 hours postoperatively by an independent observer blinded to the device used intra‐operatively. Results: On arrival in the recovery room 17.1% (n = 6) of children of the Ambu Group complained of postoperative sore throat, against 5.7% in I‐gel Group (n = 2). After one hour, the results were similar. After 6 hours, postoperative sore throat was found in 8.6% (n = 3) of the children in Ambu group vs. 2.9% (n = 1) in I‐gel Group. After 24 hours, 2.9% (n = 1) of the kids in Ambu Group compared to none in I‐gel Group. There was no significant difference found in the incidence of postoperative sore throat in both devices on arrival (p = 0.28); after 1 hour (p = 0.28); after 6 hours (p = 0.30); and after 24 hours (p = 0.31). The duration of the insertion was shorter in Ambu Group and it was easier to insert the I‐gel® (p = 0.029). Oropharyngeal seal pressure of I‐gel® was higher than that of Ambu laryngeal mask (p = 0.001). Conclusion: The severity and frequency of postoperative sore throat in children is not statistically significant in the I‐gel Group compared to Ambu Group.