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Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2023-08-22 Origin: Site
The oropharyngeal airway (OPA) is one of the most common devices used to provide airway patency. These airways serve as a vital solution in ensuring that the tongue doesn't obstruct the airway, either partially or completely. This equipment is particularly invaluable in emergency situations, where speed and efficiency can make all the difference.
Oropharyngeal airways are indicated for unconscious patients because it prevents the tongue from slipping back and either partially or completely obstructing the airway.
What is a Oropharyngeal airway?
Oropharyngeal airways are usually indicated for unconscious patients because if placed in an awake patient, a Guedel airway may lead to gagging, laryngospasm or regurgitation.
Oropharyngeal Airway (oral airway, OPA) is an airway adjunct used to maintain or open the airway by stopping the tongue from covering the epiglottis. Oropharyngeal airways are indicated only in an unconscious person because of the likelihood that the device would stimulate a gag reflex in conscious or semi-conscious persons.
An oropharyngeal airway has four parts: the flange, the body, the tip, and a channel to allow for passage of air and suction. Oropharyngeal airways come in a wide range of sizes (e.g., 40 mm to 110 mm). It is important that the correct size of oropharyngeal airway is used.
What is a Oropharyngeal airway used for?
Oropharyngeal airways are usually indicated for unconscious patients because if placed in an awake patient, a Guedel airway may lead to gagging, laryngospasm or regurgitation. In contrast, nasopharyngeal airways are less likely to stimulate the gag reflex and may be more appropriate for semi-conscious patients.
What Are the Types of Oropharyngeal airway?
Base on the shape there are two types of airway, guedel airway and berman airway.
The Guedel Airway devices have a central lumen which allows for various suction catheters to be inserted. The tubes are made of flexible semi-transparent plastic, with low-friction surfaces to prevent damage to the patients.
Berman airways are a very similar shape to Guedel airways and are usually made of a single piece of plastic but possess 2 lateral channels rather than one closed tube.
They do not possess a colour coded bite block.
How to insert a Guedel airway?
Size Selection
Determine the appropriate size of the oropharyngeal airway. The correct size OPA is chosen by measuring from the first incisors to the angle of the jaw. If too long, it could obstruct breathing by displacing the tongue against the oropharynx. If it's too short, it won't be able to hold the tongue away from the pharynx, and patency won't be restored.
Inappropriately sized or incorrectly placed adjunct airways can also damage the teeth, larynx, soft palate and other parts of the mouth.
Inserting the airway
1. Open the patient’s mouth to ensure there is no foreign material that may be pushed into the larynx.
2. The airway is inserted into the patient's mouth upside down. Once contact is made with the back of the throat, the airway is rotated 180 degrees. In children, the oropharyngeal airway should be inserted the right way up (i.e. not upside down), using a tongue depressor.
3. Advance the airway until it lies within the pharynx. The flange of the airway should rest over the patient’s lips.
4. After the airway is successfully inserted, frequently check its position to be sure of proper placement.
Which Sizes Are Available?
Full details on sizes and colour can be found in the table below:
Product No. | Code | Size (mm) | ColorCode | |
CA40 | 000# | 40mm | pink | |
CA50 | 00# | 50mm | blue | |
CA60 | 0# | 60mm | black | |
CA70 | 1# | 70mm | white | |
CA80 | 2# | 80mm | green | |
CA90 | 3# | 90mm | yellow | |
CA100 | 4# | 100mm | red | |
CA110 | 5# | 110mm | light blue | |
CA120 | 6# | 120mm | orange | |
What are the possible complications of OPA?
1. Gagging, Vomiting and Aspiration.
2. Airway obstruction by an improperly sized or improperly inserted oral airway.
3. Soft tissue trauma to the tongue, palate and pharynx.
More detailed product and packaging information is available under Additional Resources.
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