European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Title: A comparison of I-gel with Baska mask airway for controlled ventilation in patients undergoing General Anaesthesia for surgeries less than three hours duration- A randomized prospective study
 
Background: Supraglottic airway devices (SADs) offer an alternative airway to traditional tracheal intubation or a face mask. The recently introduced Baska mask is a third generation SAD. The ideal SAD must have a high airway sealing pressure during spontaneous and positive pressure ventilation and low resistance to the flow of gases.
Aim: To compare I-gel with Baska mask in terms of insertion characteristics, efficacy haemodynamic response and safety in patients receiving controlled mechanical ventilation during elective surgical procedures.
Materials and Methods: The present randomized, double-blinded study was conducted on 60 patients of either sex and age of 18 years and above belonging to American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) grade I and II with normal body mass index (BMI) randomly allocated to receive Baska mask (Group A -30) or I-gel (Group B-30) for airway management. Demographic data recorded. Various parameters measured were airway sealing pressure, insertion time, ease of insertion, number of insertion attempts, overall success rate and the incidence of airway trauma and complications were also recorded. Patient vitals including heart rate, systolic/diastolic blood pressures and peripheral capillary oxygen saturation were measured along with ventilatory parameters including inspiratory and expiratory tidal volume, end-tidal carbon dioxide, leak volume and airway pressures at various intervals. Paired and unpaired t-test were used to analyse numerical data and chi-square test for non-parametric data.
Results: Both groups were comparable in terms of demographic and clinical characteristics. Overall success rate was comparable in both groups. The insertion time was comparable for both groups (p value≥0.05). Oropharyngeal leak pressure was significantly higher for Baska mask (28.6±1.03 cm H₂O) than I-gel (25.1±1.34 cm H₂O; p value < 0.005). Ryle’s tube insertion was easy via I-gel than Baska mask. Hemodynamic parameters and post operative complications were comparable in both groups.
Conclusion: Both airways are suitable for elective surgeries under general anaesthesia. The sealing pressures of the Baska mask are superior to those of the I-gel and can serve as an exemplary, alternative airway device for the surgeries under controlled ventilation with minimum complications.