A Proposed Classification and Scoring System for Supraglottic Sealing Airways: A Brief Review

In Brief We provide an approach to evaluating sealing supraglottic airways by using a classification based on a sealing mechanism. Three main sealing mechanisms are identified, thus defining three groups: cuffed perilaryngeal sealers, cuffed pharyngeal sealers, and uncuffed anatomically preshaped sealers. We provide a brief overview of supraglottic airways and present a scoring system that is relevant to particular requirements. Scoring airways for routine applications is the example provided. IMPLICATIONS: This brief preliminary review of supraglottic sealing airways provides a rational systematic approach to understanding airway devices and a suggested scoring method to enhance appreciation of their merits and differences.