title: [Airtraq for difficult airways: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Increased evidence indicates that the Airtraq is useful for difficult tracheal intubations. The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess the efficacy of the Airtraq in difficult airways, comparing with that of Macintosh laryngoscopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The systematic search, data extraction, critical appraisal, and pooled analysis were performed according to the PRISMA statement. The relative risk (RR), mean difference (MD), and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by the Comprehensive Meta-analysis version 2.2.040 software for dichotomous and continuous outcomes, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixteen randomized controlled trials included 863 tracheal intubations by Airtraq and 865 tracheal intubations by Macintosh laryngoscopy. Airtraq showed higher success rate (RR 1.242, 95%CI 1.137 to 1.357, P<0.00001) and shorter duration for instrumentation (MD-8.259 s, 95%CI-13.122 s to-3.396 s, P <0.00087).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is considerable evidence that Airtraq has an advantage over Macintosh laryngoscope in difficult airways.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, International University of Health and Welfare, Nasushiobara 329-2763.
authors.forename: Yoshihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hirabayashi
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hoshuijima
authors.forename: Norifumi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kuratani
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D020704:Laryngoscopes