Safety and Efficacy of the Baska Mask Versus Endotracheal Intubation in 64 Women Undergoing Elective Laparoscopic Gynecological Surgery Under General Anesthesia: A Prospective Single-Center Study

BACKGROUND: The Baska mask is a supraglottic airway device that has a continuous non-inflatable flexible cuff that mimics an airway, reducing the risk of overinflation and aspiration of gastric contents. This prospective study from a single center aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of the Baska mask vs endotracheal intubation (ET) in 64 women undergoing elective laparoscopic gynecological surgery in Trendelenburg position under general anesthesia. MATERIAL/METHODS: This was a prospective randomized study conducted on 64 adult female patients, 32 in each group, undergoing gynecologic surgery under general anesthesia. The study population was divided into 2 groups: the Baska group and the ET group. The respiratory and haemodynamic variables, the degree of gastric distension, and postoperative pharyngolaryngeal symptoms were compared between groups. RESULTS: After 2 patients dropped out of the study, data from 62 patients were analyzed. The Baska group showed significantly shorter device insertion time (28.4±10.7 vs 46.6±19.8, P=0.001), a significantly lower oropharyngeal leak pressure at all studied time points, and a higher leak fraction at 1 min after the completion of pneumoperitoneum (5.6% vs 2.1%, P=0.031) compared to the ET group. Respiratory and haemodynamic variables, the gastric antrum size, and postoperative pharyngolaryngeal symptoms showed no significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the findings from previous studies in patients undergoing general surgery. The Baska mask was as effective as ET in ventilation during general anesthesia in women undergoing elective laparoscopic gynecological surgery. Respiratory and hemodynamic responses were similar to ET, and no complications were associated with the Baska mask in this study.