Superior sealing effect of a three-dimensional printed modified supraglottic airway compared with the i-gel in a three-dimensional printed airway model

Purpose The aim of this study was to compare the force exerted by a three-dimensional (3D) printed modified supraglottic airway (mSGA) vs. that exerted by the i-gel on a 3D printed airway model. Methods After a preliminary experiment in Thiel embalmed cadavers, we created a 3D printed mSGA and five 3D printed airway models based on computed tomography data from five female Japanese patients. We compared the force exerted by the i-gel and mSGA on the larynx of the 3D printed airway models. In addition, tidal volumes with insertion of the airway devices into the 3D printed airway model and administration of different levels of pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV) were compared. Results The values below indicate mean values +/- SD (p value, 95% confidence interval) for the mSGA and i-gel, respectively. The forces exerted by the cuff parts were as follows: ventral: 12.5 +/- 5.4 vs. 20.7 +/- 3.7 N (p = 0.0001, -10.0 to -6.5), proximal: 1.9 +/- 1.4 vs. 1.7 +/- 1.3 N (p = 0.322, -0.26 to 0.74), and dorsal parts: 6.9 +/- 2.2 vs. 12.5 +/- 4.8 N (p = 0.0001, -7.9 to -3.4), respectively. We also found significantly higher tidal volumes with the mSGA under PCV of 10, 15, and 20 cm H2O. Conclusions The method of creating the mSGA that we proposed in this study can be applied to development of novel SGAs that is anatomically more suitable for pharyngolaryngeal structure.