Artificial Airway

BASIC AIRWAYS – ORAL,
SUPRAGLOTTIC & TRACHEAL
AVR Saranya
RT
KMCH, Kovai

,NTRODUCTION
Maintain a patent airway.
Unlike other maneuvers to maintain a
patent airway, such as chin lift, jaw
thrust, and tracheal intubation, cervical
spine movement does not occur when
an airway is inserted.
The airway passage has a rigid
posterior wall, supported by the
cervical vertebrae, and a collapsible
anterior wall, consisting of the tongue
and epiglottis.
Under anesthesia, the muscles in the
floor of the mouth and pharynx A: The normal airway.
The tongue and other soft
supporting the tongue relax, and the tissues are forward, allowing
tongue and epiglottis fall back into the an unobstructed air
passage. B: The
posterior pharynx, occluding the airway obstructed airway. The
tongue and epiglottis fall
back to the posterior
pharyngeal wall, occluding
the airway.

, OROPHARYNGEAL AIRWAY
Maintains a patent
airway by lying
between the base of
the tongue and the
posterior wall of the
pharynx preventing the
tongue from falling
back and occluding the
airway.
Can be used only in
unconscious patients as
it may cause gag
leading to aspiration.
Should never be taped
in place. If the patient

, INDICATIONS & CONTRA -
INDICATIONS
CONTRA -
INDICATIONS
INDICATIONS
Unconscious patients to Conscious patients
maintain airway patency
Dentures
Prevent a patient from
biting and occluding an oral
tracheal tube
Protect the tongue from
biting
Facilitate oropharyngeal
suctioning
Obtain a better mask fit
Provide a pathway for
inserting devices into the
esophagus or pharynx