Nasopharyngeal Airway
Pronunciation: nay-zoh-fuh-RIN-jee-ul
Also written as: NPA — Nasopharyngeal Airway
A soft, flexible tube inserted through a nostril to the posterior pharynx to maintain airway patency in semi-conscious or sedated patients who do not tolerate oral airway devices.
Full Definition
The nasopharyngeal airway (NPA), also called a nasal trumpet, is a cylindrical silicone or rubber device inserted via a lubricated nostril to create an open conduit from the nasal passage to the hypopharynx. Unlike the oropharyngeal airway, the NPA is relatively well tolerated in patients with intact gag reflexes, making it useful at lighter sedation depths. In dental anesthesiology, it is commonly used during moderate sedation when partial airway obstruction occurs due to tongue or soft palate relaxation. Contraindications include coagulopathy, basilar skull fracture, and nasal polyps. Sizing is based on the internal diameter in millimetres, and documentation must record the size and nostril used. Editors should note that the NPA is categorically distinct from the nasal cannula (oxygen delivery) and nasal hood (inhalation sedation delivery).
Usage
Usage note: Do not abbreviate as 'nasal airway' in clinical documents without prior definition, as this is ambiguous with other nasal devices.
In Context
- "A 28 Fr nasopharyngeal airway was inserted in the right naris to relieve soft tissue obstruction during moderate sedation." — Intraoperative anesthesia record
- "The editor queried whether 'nasal airway' referred to the nasopharyngeal airway or the nasal cannula used for supplemental oxygen." — Proofreading query log