Comparison of Baska Mask Versus Proseal Laryngeal Mask Airway in Elective Surgeries Under General Anaesthesia: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background Baska Mask (BM) is a third-generation supraglottic airway device with a self-inflating cuff. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the BM compared to ProSeal laryngeal mask airway (PLMA) regarding insertion time, ease of insertion, and oropharyngeal seal pressure in patients undergoing elective surgeries under general anesthesia for less than two hours. Methods This prospective, randomized, double-blind comparative study was done on 64 patients randomly divided into two groups, with 32 patients in the PLMA group (Group A) and 32 in the BM group (Group B). Individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of more than 30, a history of nausea/vomiting, or pharyngeal pathology were excluded from the trial. After induction with propofol 3-4 mg/kg, fentanyl 1-2 mcg/kg, and the neuromuscular blockade was achieved with atracurium 0.5 mg/kg, patients were inserted with either BM (n= 32) or PLMA (n= 32). The primary outcome measure was the time taken for insertion and ease of insertion. Secondary outcome measures included the number of attempts, oropharyngeal seal pressure (OSP), and laryngopharyngeal morbidity (trauma to lips, blood staining, and sore throat) immediately and 24 hours postoperatively. Results Demographic data were comparable and statistically insignificant. Regarding time and ease of insertion, the BM could be inserted in a lesser time of 24±1.136 seconds compared to PLMA which took 28.59±1.682 seconds, with a high success rate in the first attempt which was statistically significant. The BM provided a higher OSP (31.34 +1.638 cmH2O) when compared to PLMA (24.81±1.469 cmH2O) and was statistically significant. Complications associated with insertion trauma to the lip, blood staining, and sore throat were more in PLMA (15.6%, 15.6 %, 9.4%, respectively) compared to the BM (6.3%, 3.1%, 3.1%, respectively), and statistically insignificant. Conclusion BM had higher first-attempt successful insertion with better OSP compared to PLMA in patients under controlled ventilation.