Like other bronchial blockers, the EZ-Blocker Endobronchial Blocker is inserted through the central lumen of an endotracheal tube to allow lung isolation, but that is where the similarity ends.
Unlike one-cuff bronchial blockers, the EZ-Blocker™ Endobronchial Blocker has two cuffs which are positioned on the bifurcated (or Y-shaped) distal end of the blocker. The bifurcation on the EZ-Blocker Endobronchial Blocker mirrors the patient’s lungs at the carina. This patented dual-cuff shape is designed to overcome many of the challenges associated with traditional one-cuff blockers by making placement intuitive – the device is securely seated at the carina to minimise the risk of dislodgement, and there is no danger of resorption lung collapse.
The Rusch EZ-Blocker is supported by clinical data and by leading practitioners across the world. Their feedback on the ease of placement and lung isolation effectiveness speaks for itself.
- The time needed to place the devices in the correct position was shorter in the DLT group (3.2 (2.7) min vs 4.6 (2.4) min, P=0.02).1
- The prevalence of at least one repositioning and lung collapse quality scores (P=0.42, P=0.21).1
- VAS scores for sore throat were lower and hoarseness was less encountered in the EZ-Blocker™ group (21.2 (8.8) vs 49.4 (7.6), P=0.01, 16.1% vs 48.2%, P=0.01, respectively).1
- The EZB was introduced and positioned without any problems and sufficient lung collapse was achieved in all patients. No tracheobronchial injuries or immediate complications occurred.2
- A stable EMG signal was present in all patients and no RLN palsy and no negative side effects of the NIM EMG ETT or the EZB were observed postoperatively.2
- Most frequently, EZB was used in difficult airway (27%) and for surgical procedures with high risk for left recurrent laryngeal nerve injury (21%), followed by application in intubated (12%) or tracheostomized (11%) patients. 11% of the patients had an increased risk of gastric regurgitation. Almost all EZBs were placed free of complications (99%). Clinically sufficient lung collapse was achieved in all patients.3
- One-lung ventilation was achieved successfully for all patients. The time to correct placement (mean±SD) was significantly shorter in the EZ group.4
For further information please reach out to your Teleflex Anaesthesia Account Manager or contact Customer Services at Queries.UK@Teleflex.com.
Product Code: MG-02770-002
Training Materials: www.Teleflex-Academy.com
Website address with Instructional Video: Rüsch EZ-Blocker™ | EMEA | Teleflex
Product Use Guide: MCI-2019-0132_AN_BR_EZBlocker-Guide_A5-EN_GKN.pdf
References
- Bermede et al. (2021) Comparison of EZ-Blocker™ and left double-lumen endotracheal tube for one lung ventilation in minimally invasive cardiac surgery. Journal of Surgery and Medicine. 2021;5(7), 661-664.
- Moritz at al. (2019) Combined recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring and one-lung ventilation using the EZ-Blocker™ and an electromyographic endotracheal tube. Source: J Cardiothorac Surg. 2019;14(111).
- Moritz at al. (2018) The EZ-Blocker™ for one-lung ventilation in patients undergoing thoracic surgery: clinical applications and experience in 100 cases in a routine clinical setting. Source: J Cardiothorac Surg. 2018;13(77).
- Kus et al. (2014) A comparison of the EZ-Blocker™ with a Cohen Flex-Tip blocker for one-lung ventilation. Source: Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2014;28(4):896-899.
