Use of the i-gel® laryngeal mask for management of a difficult airway

The authors report on the airway management during induction of general anaesthesia in a patient with known difficulties with intubation. After failed optimized attempts at direct laryngoscopy ventilation was secured with the new single-use laryngeal mask i-gel (TM). The special construction of the i-gel (TM) allowed the fiber optic confirmation of a good view of the glottis and trachea, allowing successful fiber optic-guided intubation of the trachea using a size 6 mm cuffed tracheal tube.