An observational study of the baska®mask: a novel supraglottic airway*

Abstract

The Baska mask is a novel supraglottic airway device. We conducted an initial observational study to assess this device in 30 low-risk female patients. All Baska masks were inserted by a single investigator. The overall success rate for device insertion was 96.7% (95% CI 82.899.9%), while the success rate for the first insertion attempt was 76.7% (95% CI 57.790.1%). The device was easy to insert, with a mean (SD) difficulty score of 0.9 (1.6) on a 10-cm scale. The mean (SD) airway leak pressure was 35.7 (13.3) cmH2O. The incidence of throat pain, dysphonia and dysphagia was low. We conclude that the Baska mask demonstrates a level of utility as an alternative supraglottic airway that is worthy of further clinical study.