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An oropharyngeal airway (also known as an oral airway, OPA or Guedel pattern airway) is a medical device called an airway adjunct used in airway management to maintain or open a patient's airway. It does this by preventing the tongue from covering the epiglottis , which could prevent the person from breathing.
Oropharyngeal airways of various sizes Oropharyngeal airways (OPA) are curved pieces of plastic that help to maintain a patent airway in unconscious patients, without a gag-reflex. To use the appropriate size is selected, and then the OPA is inserted with the tip towards the roof of the mouth.
Oropharyngeal airways are one of several different blind insertion airway devices. A blind insertion airway device (BIAD or blind insertion device) is a medical device used for airway management that ensures an open pathway between a patient's lungs and the outside world, as well as reducing the risk of aspiration, which can be placed without visualization of the glottis. [1]
Laryngoscopy involves placing a device in the mouth to visualize the back of the airway. [22] If the foreign body can be seen, it can be removed with forceps. [22] An endotracheal tube should then be placed in order to prevent airway compromise from resulting inflammation after the procedure. [22]
An oropharyngeal airway is acceptable, however nasopharyngeal airways should be avoided in trauma, particularly if a basilar skull fracture is suspected. [42] Endotracheal intubation carries with it many risks, particularly when paralytics are used, as maintenance of the airway becomes a challenge if intubation fails.
A model of an oropharyngeal airway (OPA) preventing the tongue from obstructing the airway. An oropharyngeal airway (OPA) is a rigid tube that is inserted into the mouth through the oropharynx and placed above the tongue to move it away from the back of the throat. [2] [4] They are more commonly used than nasopharyngeal airways (NPAs). [4]
An oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal airway is used during bag-valve-mask ventilation to prevent soft tissues from blocking the airway. An oropharyngeal airway may cause gagging and vomiting. Therefore, an oropharyngeal airway must be sized appropriately. An airway that is incorrectly sized can worsen the airway obstruction.
Airway, breathing, and circulation, therefore work in a cascade; if the patient's airway is blocked, breathing will not be possible, and oxygen cannot reach the lungs and be transported around the body in the blood, which will result in hypoxia and cardiac arrest. Ensuring a clear airway is therefore the first step in treating any patient; once ...