Does Baska mask deserve its own niche among extraglottic airway devices? A prospective, single-arm study

A variety of extraglottic airway devices (EADs) are available. Main concerns with EADs are protection against aspiration and ability to ventilate patients with high airway pressures. Baska mask meets these criteria and is the only third-generation device available for clinical use.

After institutional ethics committee approval and informed consent were obtained, this prospective study was performed in 100 adult patients undergoing surface surgeries at a tertiary referral centre. The primary outcome was the success rate of insertion, while the secondary outcomes were the sealing pressure, stability of the device and the perioperative complications of Baska mask. We then compared it with other currently used EADs.

The first attempt at insertion and overall success rates, showed values of 81% and 98%, respectively. Insertion was quick (median 12; interquartile range [IQR] 9-15 s). The mask sealing pressure, was 35 cmH₂O (median [IQR 20-50 cmH₂O]). Also, the mask remained stable in 95% of patients intraoperatively. Sore throat and dysphagia were seen in 37% and 24% of patients, respectively. No patient had laryngospasm or desaturation at any time. It compared favourably well with other EADs, while achieving higher sealing pressures.

We found that the Baska mask performs well with excellent first attempt at insertion and overall success rates, higher sealing pressures and minimal complications compared to currently used EADs in clinical anaesthesia.