Main Results
The review uncovered a wide variety of research relating to the practice of suctioning adults with an artificial airway. The various designs and the lack of homogeneity in the studies meant that the results could not be combined statistically in a meta-analysis. The studies included in this review have therefore been incorporated into a narrative summary. The methodological flaws in some of the studies presented undermine the validity of their findings. The results must be interpreted accordingly, in light of the strength of the evidence provided.