Table 1.
Advantages and disadvantages of nasal and oronasal CPAP masks
| Mask | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Nasal | More comfortable | Risk of mouth leak |
| Lower overall leak | ||
| Lower therapeutic pressure requirement | ||
| Higher adherence | ||
| Lower cost | ||
| Less risk of aspiration | ||
| Lower risk of CO2 rebreathing | ||
| Lower risk of aerophagia | ||
| Oronasal | Better control of mouth leak | Less comfortable |
| Better control of REM-associated leak | Higher overall leak | |
| Higher therapeutic pressure requirement | ||
| Lower adherence | ||
| Higher cost | ||
| Higher risk of aspiration | ||
| Higher risk of CO2 rebreathing | ||
| Higher risk of aerophagia |
Definition of abbreviations: CPAP = continuous positive airway pressure; REM = rapid eye movement.