• Filippo Sanfilippo, Federica Chiarenza, Dirk M Maybauer, and Marc O Maybauer.
• Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit, Intensive Care Directorate, St Georges Healthcare NHS Trust, London SW17 0QT, United Kingdom; School of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, A.O.U. "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele", Catania 95100, Italy. Electronic address: filipposanfi@yahoo.it.
• J Clin Anesth. 2016 Jun 1; 31: 215-22.

Study ObjectiveEndotracheal intubation is considered the criterion-standard technique for securing the airway. Supraglottic airway devices (SADs) represent a major advance in airway management and are recommended by the guidelines in difficult situations such as Advanced Life Support and "cannot ventilate-cannot intubate" scenarios. The Easytube (EzT) is an SAD introduced a decade ago but not included yet in the above guidelines.DesignSystematic review of MEDLINE and EMBASE according to PRISMA guidelines available up to January 12, 2016.SettingWe collected experimental and clinical evidence regarding EzT positioning performed by medial students, anesthesiologists, paramedics, or nurses.PatientsManikins, cadavers, or patients.InterventionsEzT positioning in both clinical and simulation studies, both under standard and under difficult scenarios.MeasurementsTime to insertion and time to ventilation, success rate and operator's assessment of the device, change in ventilatory parameters, and major complications.Main ResultsFifteen manuscripts were found: 6 prospective clinical studies and 9 conducted under experimental conditions (7 with a simulator and 2 on cadavers). The EzT inserted by both inexperienced and experienced personnel in most studies had high success rate, and it showed excellent results also during simulated cardiopulmonary resuscitation and in difficult airway scenarios. The EzT had better ventilatory parameters as compared with the Combitube and showed great airway sealing capacity, comparable to the Combitube and to the laryngeal mask airway and superior to other SADs. EzT allowed the insertion of large nasogastric tubes and has only mild adverse effects like other SADs. No major complications were described.ConclusionThe EzT appears to be a safe and a good alternative to established SADs. It may be considered among SADs by future guidelines on Advanced Life Support and "cannot ventilate-cannot intubate" scenarios.Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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