Oropharyngeal Airway
Also written as: OPA — Oropharyngeal Airway
A curved rigid or semi-rigid device inserted through the mouth to maintain a patent airway by preventing the tongue from occluding the posterior pharynx in an unconscious or deeply sedated patient.
Full Definition
An oropharyngeal airway (OPA), also called a Guedel airway after its inventor, is a J-shaped device sized by measuring from the corner of the mouth to the earlobe. It is used in dental anesthesiology during deep sedation or general anesthesia when spontaneous muscle tone is insufficient to keep the tongue from falling back and obstructing the airway. The OPA does not protect against aspiration and is not tolerated by conscious or lightly sedated patients, as it provokes gagging. Correct sizing is critical; an undersized OPA fails to displace the tongue, while an oversized OPA can push the epiglottis down and worsen obstruction. Documentation in the anesthesia record should note the size used and the indication for placement.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish clearly from 'nasopharyngeal airway' (NPA), which is tolerated in semi-conscious patients, and from 'bite block,' which serves a different purpose.
In Context
- "A size-90 mm oropharyngeal airway was placed following loss of chin lift during deep sedation." — Intraoperative anesthesia note
- "The protocol differentiated between the oropharyngeal airway as an adjunct and the laryngeal mask airway as a primary supraglottic device." — Airway management protocol document