NuMask Versus Traditional Mask Ventilation During Routine Care

A Comparison of Controlled Ventilation With the NuMask vs. Traditional Mask Ventilation.

The direct objective of this study is to determine whether an experienced provider can more adequately and/or easily ventilate an anesthetized patient with the NuMask device as compared to traditional bag-valve-mask ventilation. These are approved masks, being used in the patients routine care. The researchers believe that mean tidal volumes obtained by experienced providers when manually ventilating anesthetized patients with the NuMask device will be larger than when using the traditional bag-valve-mask.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 44 adults total
• ASA status I-III
• aged 18-64
• elective surgery at the University of Utah under general anesthesia
• Bearded, BMI >35 or edentulous

Exclusion Criteria:

• ASA IV or higher
• Oropharyngeal or facial pathology
• Risk of aspiration (defined by need for rapid sequence intubation, uncontrolled gastroesophageal reflux disease)
• Known and/or documented difficulty placing an endotracheal tube in the past
• Limited neck extension or flexion
• Personal or familial history of malignant hyperthermia
• Known or predicted severe respiratory disease or compromise
• Pregnancy