Comparison of the Baska mask and the i-gel supraglottic airway devices in patients undergoing elective surgery

• Published in: Anaesthesiology intensive therapy : official publication of the Polish Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Therapy 2020-01, Vol.52 (5), p.383-388
• Main Authors: Kumar Sinasamy, Thanesh, Nazaruddin Wan Hassan, Wan Mohd, Hardy Mohamad Zaini, Rhendra, Seevaunnamtum, Praveena, Ab Mukmin, Laila
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Airway management; anaesthesia; Anesthesia; Anesthesia, General - instrumentation; Anesthesia, Inhalation - methods; Blood pressure; Elective surgery; Elective Surgical Procedures; Equipment Design; Female; Humans; Intubation; Intubation, Intratracheal - instrumentation; Intubation, Intratracheal - methods; Laryngeal Masks; Male; Middle Aged; Monitoring, Intraoperative; Original and Clinical; oropharynx; pain; Patients; post-operative nausea and vomiting; Random Allocation; Surgery; tidal volume; Ventilators
• ISSN: 1642-5758; 1731-2531
• DOI: 10.5114/AIT.2020.101407

The Baska mask and i-gel are two new types of second-generation supraglottic airway devices. The aim of this study was to compare these two devices in terms of quality of insertion, quality of ventilation and post-insertion complications. A total of 80 adult patients who were scheduled for elective surgery under general anaesthesia were randomised to two groups: Group BM: Baska mask (n = 40) and Group IG: i-gel (n = 40). The assessment focused on ease of insertion, number of attempts, insertion time, number of corrective manoeuvres, oropharyngeal leak pressure, tidal volume, peak airway pressure (PAP) and post-insertion complications. Group IG showed a significantly shorter median insertion time (13.3 [interquartile range, IQR 7.8] vs. 17.0 [IQR 9.6] s; P < 0.001), a higher percentage in the 'very easy' ease of insertion category (62.5% vs. 10.0%; P < 0.001), a higher percentage in the no corrective manoeuvre category (92.5% vs. 72.5%; P = 0.003) and a higher percentage in the no post-operative throat pain category (67.5% vs. 32.5%; P = 0.011) than Group BM. However, Group BM showed a significantly higher generated PAP than Group IG (12.7 [1.8] and 11.5 [2.2] cm H O, respectively; P = 0.010). There were no significant differences in other parameters. The i-gel was better than the Baska mask in terms of ease of insertion, speed of insertion, fewer corrective manoeuvres and less post-operative throat pain. However, the Baska mask had a better cuff seal, as shown by a higher generated PAP.