Clinical evaluation of the Baska Mask laryngeal mask in adult patients in ambulatory surgery

Objective: To evaluate the clinical performance of the Baska Mask, a new second-generation supraglottic airway device with a self-inflating cuff and two side suction channels for continuous aspiration.

Material and methods: Eighty adult patients without difficult airways were prospectively included. Ease of insertion and number of attempts needed, quality of ventilation, airway seal pressure, fibreoptic view, ease of gastric access, and complications were assessed. Sizes 3, 4, 5 were analyzed and compared.

Results: First attempt insertion success rate was 88% and the overall rate was 100%, although additional maneuvers were necessary in 44% of the cases. The ventilation was adequate in 96%, with 39% of them requiring adjusting maneuvers. Size 3 needed significantly less adjustments, and achieved a higher seal pressure than sizes 4 and 5 combined. The airway seal pressure was 33 ± 7 cm H2O. Complete or partial vocal cords were visible in 90% of the 66 cases assessed. Partial obstruction, caused by distortion of the cuff-free border, was seen in 5%, and no glottic structures were identified in 5%. Gastric access was easy in all cases. Complications were mild and transient.

Conclusions: The Baska Mask achieves a high seal pressure, effective ventilation, and a quick access to drain gastric contents. However, additional adjustment maneuvers are frequently required to insert the mask and to optimize ventilation.