Comparative study of Baska mask with proseal LMA in adult patients undergoing elective surgery under general...

Several supraglottic airway devices (SGD) are available nowadays. But none has been found to be better than Proseal laryngeal mask (PLMA) in terms of oropharyngeal leak pressure (OLP). We aimed to compare OLP of newly introduced Baska® Mask with PLMA in patients undergoing elective surgical procedures under general anesthesia.

Totally, 80 consecutive adult patients of either sex requiring general anesthesia were randomized into two groups Group B (Baska mask, n = 40) or Group P (PLMA. n = 40). After standardized induction with propofol 2 - 2.5 mg/kg^-1 and fentanyl 2 mgkg^-1, and muscle relaxation with vecuronium 0.1 mgkg^-1 one of the two devices was placed. OLP (primary outcome) was measured 5 minutes and 30 minutes post induction. The time needed to achieve effective airway, anatomical alignment of the device, number of attempts, leak fraction, and postoperative laryngopharyngeal morbidity were noted.

Both the devices could be inserted in first attempt in all the patients, but the time needed to achieve effective airway was significantly less in Group B (12.58 ± 1.81 sec vs 17.92 ± 2.45 sec, P < 0.001). The mean OLP was better in Group B at 5 min (37.6 ± 2.43 cm H₂O vs 30.82 ± 3.96 cm H₂O) and at 30 min (38.83 ± 1.72 cm H₂O vs 30.82 ± 3.96 cm H₂O; P < 0.001). Anatomical alignment of SGD with glottis (FOB grade 3 or 4 view) was significantly better in group B (34/40) as compared to group P (25/40) (p = 0.009). There was no difference in laryngopharyngeal morbidity in the two groups.

Baska mask provided higher OLP, better alignment to the glottis and faster placement time as compared to PLMA.