title: A comparison of the EZ-Blocker with a Cohen Flex-Tip blocker for one-lung ventilation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The EZ-Blocker (IQ Medical Ventures BV, Rotterdam, Netherlands) is a newly designed device for one-lung ventilation. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of the Cohen Flex-Tip bronchial blocker (Cook, Bloomington, IN) and the EZ-Blocker for one-lung ventilation during thoracic surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized and prospective.
  
  
  METHODS
  A university hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study included 40 patients undergoing thoracic surgical procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were assigned to 2 study groups: Patients who received the Cohen Flex-Tip blocker were assigned to the Cohen group, and patients who received the EZ-Blocker were assigned to the EZ group. In both groups, fiberoptic guidance was used during placement of the bronchial blockers. Comparisons between the groups included the time to correct placement, the incidence of malpositioning, and the satisfaction level of the surgeon (good, fair, poor).
  
  
  RESULTS
  One-lung ventilation was achieved successfully for all patients. The time to correct placement (mean±SD) was significantly shorter in the EZ group (146±56 seconds) compared with the Cohen group (241±51 seconds; p=0.01). The incidence of malpositioning was significantly lower in the EZ group compared with the Cohen group (p=0.018). Surgeon satisfaction was similar in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this study, both bronchial blockers provided similar surgical exposure during thoracic procedures. The EZ-Blocker had a shorter time to correct positioning and less frequent intraoperative malpositioning.
authors: Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Medical Faculty of Kocaeli University, Umuttepe, Kocaeli, Turkey. Electronic address: alparslankus@gmail.com.
authors: Alparslan
authors: A
authors: Kus
authors: Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Medical Faculty of Kocaeli University, Umuttepe, Kocaeli, Turkey.
authors: Tulay
authors: T
authors: Hosten
authors: Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Medical Faculty of Kocaeli University, Umuttepe, Kocaeli, Turkey.
authors: Yavuz
authors: Y
authors: Gurkan
authors: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Medical Faculty of Kocaeli University, Umuttepe, Kocaeli, Turkey.
authors: Aslı
authors: A
authors: Gul Akgul
authors: Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Medical Faculty of Kocaeli University, Umuttepe, Kocaeli, Turkey.
authors: Mine
authors: M
authors: Solak
authors: Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Medical Faculty of Kocaeli University, Umuttepe, Kocaeli, Turkey.
authors: Kamil
authors: K
authors: Toker
mesh_terms: D001999:Bronchoscopy; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061810:One-Lung Ventilation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000379:methods; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures
keywords: Cohen Flex-Tip bronchial blocker; EZ-Blocker; bronchial blocker; one-lung ventilation