Oral / Oropharyngeal Airway (Guedel Airways)

Guedel Airway (Oropharyngeal) - An oropharyngeal airway (also known as an oral airway, OPA or Guedel pattern airway) is a medical device called an airway adjunct used to maintain a patent (open) airway. It does this by preventing the tongue from (either partially or completely) covering the epiglottis, which could prevent the patient from breathing. When a person becomes unconscious, the muscles in their jaw relax and may allow the tongue to obstruct the airway; in fact, the tongue is the most common cause of a blocked airway.