11/13/24, 7\:25 PM Guide | Oropharyngeal airway insertion

Oropharyngeal airway insertion

Table of contents

Introduction

An oropharyngeal airway is a curved plastic tube with a
relieve soft palate obstruction.
Oropharyngeal airways are also known as Guedel airways. This name comes from the inventor of the device, Arthur Guedel
who was an American anaesthetist.
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Figure 1. The anatomical position of an oropharyngeal airway.
Oropharyngeal airways should only be inserted in unconscious patients, as it is otherwise poorly tolerated and may induce
gagging and aspiration. In contrast, nasopharyngeal airways are less likely to stimulate the gag re
appropriate for semi-conscious patients.
There are a variety of sizes available for children and adults. It is important that the correct size of oropharyngeal airway is
used.
There is a risk of trauma to the teeth and palate when inserting an oropharyngeal airway.

Insertion of an OPA

Sizing the airway

Choose the correct size by measuring the oropharyngeal airway against a patient’s face. When the tip is placed at the angle of
the mandible (angle of the jaw) the
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Measure the oropharyngeal airway from the corner of the jaw to the centre of the top teeth

Inserting the airway

To insert an oropharyngeal airway\:
1. Open the patient’s mouth to ensure there is no foreign material that may be pushed into the larynx. If foreign material is
present, attempt removal using suction.
2. Insert the oropharyngeal airway in the upside-down position until you reach the junction of the hard and soft palate, at which
point you should rotate it 180°
. The reason for inserting the airway upside down initially is to reduce the risk of pushing the
tongue backwards and worsening airway obstruction.
3. Advance the airway until it lies within the pharynx. The
4. Maintain head-tilt chin-lift or jaw thrust and assess the patency of the patient’s airway by looking, listening and feeling for
signs of breathing.
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