Further Management of the Obstructed Airway

In the unconscious patient, airway adjuncts may be used to open the airway, either nasopharyngeal airway (Fig 1) or oropharyngeal airway (Fig 2).

Definitive protection of the airway is achieved with a cuffed, oral tracheal tube (Fig 3).

For more information on this topic, please refer to e-SAFE/Additional videos/1 Airway, Laryngeal Mask and Cricothyroidotomy.

Fig 1 Diagram showing airway obstruction and its relief by use of a nasopharyngeal airway

Fig 2 Diagram showing airway obstruction and its relief by use of an oropharyngeal airway

Fig 3 Cuffed oral tracheal tube