title: The cuffed oropharyngeal airway as an aid to fibreoptic intubation.
abstract: The cuffed oropharyngeal airway is a new disposable airway based on the Guedel oral airway. It has an asymmetrical cuff which provides a seal as well as lifting the base of the tongue forwards, and a 15-mm connector allowing attachment to an anaesthetic breathing system. The device does not extend beyond the vallecula, so that the laryngeal inlet can be visualised with a fibreoptic laryngoscope passed between the cuff of the device and the pharyngeal wall. The advantage is that ventilation is maintained throughout the intubating sequence. We describe its use in a patient with oropharyngeal carcinoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthetics, Northampton General Hospital, UK.
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Pigott
authors.forename: N H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Kay
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Greenberg
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D009960:Oropharynx