Comparison of full-face and oronasal mask effectiveness in hypercapnic respiratory failure patients with non-invasive mechanical ventilation.

Introduction: Non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV) is a successful treatment modality in hypercapnic respiratory failure. Patient compliance and mask selection are the most important factors in the success of NIMV. In our prospective randomized study, we aimed to investigate the efficacy of full-face and oronasal masks in the treatment of patients with hypercapnic respiratory failure who underwent NIMV and to investigate the mask compliance of the patients.

Materials and methods: In this prospective randomized study, 60 patients with hypercapnic respiratory failure were divided into two groups; the full face mask group (n= 30) and the oronasal mask group (n= 30). Arterial blood gas values and respiratory rates were measured before the treatment and at the 1st, 6th, 24th, and 72nd hours of the treatment. The compliance of the patients with the treatment was evaluated with the patient compliance scale (PCS) at the 1st, 6th, and 24th hours of the treatment.

Result: Eight patients from the full-face mask group were excluded because of mask-face mismatch and claustrophobia, and two patients from the oronasal mask group due to persistent hypercapnia. In the full face mask group, improvement in pH was observed at the 1st and 24th hours of treatment (p= 0.042, p= 0.033), and PCO2 decreased at the 72nd hour of treatment (p= 0.024). There was no difference in patient compliance and respiratory rate between groups. The complaints of burning sensation and pressure in the eyes were higher in the full face mask group (p= 0.025), and pressure ulcers were more common in the oronasal mask group (p= 0.025).

Conclusions: The reduction in PCO2 and improvement in pH were greater with a full face mask. Pressure sores were less common with a full face mask. In our study, no difference was found in terms of patient compliance between groups. It should be noted that choosing a full face mask in patients with high compliance will increase the success in the treatment of hypercapnic respiratory failure.