Background: The Baska functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) mask is a new supraglottic airway designed for head and neck procedures. This prospective, randomized controlled trial compared the oropharyngeal leak pressure (OLP) of the Baska FESS mask with the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) Supreme in different head and neck positions.
Methods: One hundred patients undergoing elective surgery were recruited. OLP was compared in supine position, 45° lateral rotation, 45° neck extension, and 30° neck flexion. Glottic view, insertion time, ease of insertion, number of attempts, ease and time of insertion of gastric tube, and complications were also compared.
Results: The OLP of the Baska FESS was higher than the LMA Supreme in all head and neck positions studied (p < 0.001). Glottic views were better in the Baska FESS in supine and lateral rotation. LMA Supreme was easier (p = 0.046) and faster (p < 0.001) to insert. First attempt insertion success rates were 91.8% for Baska FESS and 98% for LMA Supreme. Gastric drain was easier and faster to insert (p < 0.001) in the LMA Supreme.
Conclusions: The Baska FESS provides a superior airway seal with higher mean OLP than the LMA Supreme in all head and neck positions studied. However, LMA Supreme was superior in terms of ease and speed of insertion.
Keywords: Neck position; Supraglottic airway; laryngeal mask; oropharyngeal leak pressure; seal pressure.