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Nasopharyngeal airway

 

 
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Nasopharyngeal airway
 
 
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In medicine
Medicine

Medicine is the art and science of healing. It encompasses a range of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
, a nasopharyngeal airway, also known as an NPA or a nasal trumpet because of its flared end, a type of airway adjunct, is a tube that is designed to be inserted into the nasal passageway to secure an open airway. When a patient becomes unconscious, the muscles in the jaw commonly relax and can allow the tongue to slide back and obstruct the airway. The purpose of the flared end is to prevent the device from becoming lost inside the patient's head.

pharygeal airways are sometimes used by people who have sleep apnea
Sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. Each episode, called an apnea , lasts long enough so that one or more breaths are missed, and such episodes occur repeatedly throughout sleep....
.

These devices are also used by emergency care professionals such as EMT'S and paramedics in situations where an artificial form of airway maintenance is necessary but it is impossible or unadvisory to use an oropharyngeal airway
Oropharyngeal airway

An oropharyngeal airway is a medical device called an airway adjunct used to maintain a patent airway. It does this by preventing the tongue from covering the epiglottis, which could prevent the patient from breathing....
, the preferred type of airway adjunct.






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In medicine
Medicine

Medicine is the art and science of healing. It encompasses a range of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
, a nasopharyngeal airway, also known as an NPA or a nasal trumpet because of its flared end, a type of airway adjunct, is a tube that is designed to be inserted into the nasal passageway to secure an open airway. When a patient becomes unconscious, the muscles in the jaw commonly relax and can allow the tongue to slide back and obstruct the airway. The purpose of the flared end is to prevent the device from becoming lost inside the patient's head.

Indications and contraindications

Nasopharygeal airways are sometimes used by people who have sleep apnea
Sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. Each episode, called an apnea , lasts long enough so that one or more breaths are missed, and such episodes occur repeatedly throughout sleep....
.

These devices are also used by emergency care professionals such as EMT'S and paramedics in situations where an artificial form of airway maintenance is necessary but it is impossible or unadvisory to use an oropharyngeal airway
Oropharyngeal airway

An oropharyngeal airway is a medical device called an airway adjunct used to maintain a patent airway. It does this by preventing the tongue from covering the epiglottis, which could prevent the patient from breathing....
, the preferred type of airway adjunct. For example, in a patient having epileptic seizures whose teeth are clenched shut. In an unconscious patient, suction of the upper airways may also be applied via an NPA.

Insertion of an NPA is contraindicated in patients with severe head or facial injuries, or have evidence of a basal skull fracture (Battle's sign
Battle's sign

In medical terminology, Battle's sign, also Mastoid process ecchymosis, is an indication of Bone fracture of the base of the posterior portion of the skull and may suggest underlying brain trauma....
, Raccoon eyes, cerebrospinal fluid/blood from ears, etc.) due to the possibility of direct intrusion upon brain tissue. An oropharyngeal airway
Oropharyngeal airway

An oropharyngeal airway is a medical device called an airway adjunct used to maintain a patent airway. It does this by preventing the tongue from covering the epiglottis, which could prevent the patient from breathing....
 may be used instead, but these devices frequently trigger a patient's gag reflex
Gag reflex

The pharyngeal reflex or gag reflex is a reflex contraction of the back of the throat, evoked by touching the soft palate. It prevents something from entering the throat except as part of normal swallowing and helps prevent choking....
, while nasopharyngeal airways often do not.

Insertion

The correct size airway is chosen by measuring the device on the patient: the device should reach from the patient's nostril to the earlobe or the angle of the jaw. The outside of the tube is lubricated with a water-based lubricant so that it enters the nose more easily. The device is inserted until the flared end rests against the nostril.

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