Objective: To determine the safety and efficacy of I-gelTM for airway management in children undergoing laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.

Study Design: Retrospective study

Place and Duration: This study was conducted at the Department of Anesthesia and Pediatric Surgery Mohi-ud-Din Teaching Hospital Mirpur AJK from November 2017 to January 2019.

Materials and Methods: Total 140 patients of both genders with ages up to 15 years undergoing ambulatory laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair were included. Patient’s detailed demographics including age, sex, weight and ASA class were recorded after taking written consent from parents/guardians. I -gelTM device was used to airway management. Complications such as regurgitation, aspiration, laryngospasm, bronchospasm, airway obstruction, and conversion to an endotracheal tube were examined. Data was analyzed by SPSS 24.0.

Results: There were 90 (64.29%) male while 50 (35.71%) female patients with mean age 7.42±5.66 years. Majority 126 (90%) patients had ASI class I. Complications were found in 5 (3.57%) patients, in which 2 (1.43%) patients had brochospasm, 2 (1.43%) patients had laryngospasm and 1 (0.71%) patient had conversion to endotracheal tube. None of patients had regurgitation, aspiration and airway obstruction.

Conclusion: I -gelTM device to airway management was safe and effective with fewer rate of respiratory complications in children undergoing ambulatory laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.

Keywords: Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair, Airway Management, I -gelTM, Regurgitation, Aspiration, Laryngospasm, Bronchospasm.