Baska mask®-A third generation supraglottic airway device in clinical practice- A prospective observational study

Introduction and Aim: Supraglottic airway devices are safer alternatives to endotracheal intubation during general anaesthesia. The recently introduced Baska mask is a third generation supraglottic airway device available now in India. As there are no studies about Baska mask published in India, this study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy and safety of using the Baska mask in patients with no predictors of difficult airway. Materials and Methods: Hundred patients belonging to American society of Anesthesiologists physical status class I and II with no predictors of difficult airway undergoing elective surgery under general anaesthesia were included for the study. The patients were classified as normal and overweight depending on the body mass index (<25>2 – normal and >25 kg/m2 - overweight). The ease of successfully securing the airway with the device was evaluated using the time, the number of attempts and ease of insertion. The correct placement was confirmed by fibre-optic assessment using the Brimacombe scoring system. The airway sealing pressure and leak fraction were estimated. Complications like airway trauma, sore throat, dysphagia and dysphonia were noted after removal. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software version 22 and assessed by t-test and chi square test. Results: Mean time of insertion was 9.7±1.9sec. In 97% (n=97) of patients the mask was placed successfully in the first attempt. Airway sealing pressure was 42.46±19.11 cmH2O and the leak fraction was 8.81±0.03%. Effective ventilation was present in all grades of Brimacombe scoring. Minimal postoperative airway trauma and sore throat were noticed. Conclusions: Baska® mask is an effective supraglottic airway device which is easy to insert, provides good ventilation and has minimal complications.