THE CUFFED OROPHARYNGEAL AIRWAY - ITS CLINICAL USE IN 100 PATIENTS

We studied the efficacy of the cuffed oropharyngeal airway in 100 pati ents. Insertion of the airway after induction of anaesthesia with prop ofol was easy in 95 of 100 patients, moderately difficult in four pati ents and failed in one patient. Complications, such as coughing, gaggi ng or body movement, occurred during induction and insertion in 15 pat ients. Insertion of the airway was not associated with tachycardia or hypertension. Manual ventilation through the airway was easy in less t han 30% of patients immediately after insertion. Manual ventilation be came easier after adjusting the position of the patient's head, neck o r jaw. During spontaneous breathing, adjustment of the head, neck or j aw was required in 30% of patients. Complete airway obstruction occurr ed in one patient after insertion of the device and in two patients du ring maintenance of anaesthesia. The airway was left in place during e mergence from anaesthesia in the remaining 97 patients. No complicatio n; occurred in 91 patients and coughing occurred in the remaining six patients before or during removal of the airway No regurgitation, vomi ting or laryngospasm occurred in any patient at any time. Therefore, t he cuffed oropharyngeal airway has a potential use in anaesthetised pa tients who are breathing spontaneously.