A comparison between the v-gel supraglottic airway device and the cuffed endotracheal tube for airway management in spontaneously breathing cats during isoflurane anaesthesia

OBJECTIVE: To compare airway management using the v-gel supraglottic airway device (v-gel SGAD) to that using an endotracheal tube (ETT), with respect to practicability, leakage of volatile anaesthetics and upper airway discomfort in cats.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized clinical trial.

ANIMALS: Twenty European Shorthair cats (9 males, 11 females), weighing 3.3 ± 0.7 kg.

METHODS: Cats were randomly allocated to one of two groups, in which the airway was managed by either the v-gel SGAD or a cuffed ETT, and anaesthetized for neutering procedures. The dose of propofol necessary to insert the ETT or v-gel SGAD; time from the first injection of propofol to the first clinically acceptable reading on the capnograph; leakage of isoflurane around the airway device; and upper airway discomfort scores during recovery and during the first 24 hours after anaesthesia were recorded. Continuous and discrete variables were analyzed with the Mann-Whitney U-test and the Pearson chi-squared test, respectively. Results were considered statistically significant if p < 0.05.

RESULTS: Time from the first injection of propofol to the first clinically acceptable reading on the capnograph was significantly shorter in the v-gel group. The ETT group showed significantly more stridor during recovery. No other significant differences were found.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Airway management with the v-gel SGAD is a sound and practicable alternative to endotracheal intubation with an ETT. However, larger prospective trials will be needed to draw firm conclusions on the benefits and/or drawbacks of the use of v-gel SGAD for airway management in cats.