Abstract: Objective To compare the effectiveness of intubating laryngeal mask air-Q and i-gel for tracheal intubation. Methods Eighty patients scheduled for elective general anesthesia requiring tracheal intubation were randomly allocated to air-Q group (group A) and i-gel group (group I). After general anesthesia being induced and air-Q or i-gel being inserted，the patients were treated with blind tracheal intubation through air-Q or i-gel. The attempts and time for laryngeal mask airway insertion and blind tracheal intubation were recorded. If blind intubation failed, tracheal intubation was performed under fiberoptic bronchoscope via laryngeal mask airway. Results Laryngeal mask airway was inserted successfully in all 80 patients. The time for air-Q and i-gel insertion was (19±5) s and (21±6) s, respectively. And the rate of the first successful insertion was 82.5% and 77.5%, respectively. The time of blind intubation in group A was shorter than group I [(95±28) s vs. (113±39) s] (P < 0.05). The rate of the total successful blind intubation in group A was greater than group I ( 92.5％vs. 72.5％) (P < 0.05). In all cases with blind intubation failed, tracheal intubation was successful performed under fiberoptic bronchoscope via laryngeal mask airway. Conclusion The successful rate of blind intubation via air-Q was greater than i-gel. Meanwhile, the time for intubation via air-Q is shorter than i-gel.

Key words: laryngeal mask airway, intubation endotracheal