14/12/2025
❇️ Airway Management Devices: Indications and Clinical Use
Effective airway management is a cornerstone of anesthesia, emergency medicine, and critical care. This illustration highlights commonly used basic and supraglottic airway devices, focusing on their appropriate indications and clinical contexts.
Guedel (oropharyngeal) airway is used in unconscious patients without a gag reflex to prevent tongue-related airway obstruction.
Nasopharyngeal airway is suitable for conscious or semi-conscious patients with an intact gag reflex, providing airway patency while avoiding stimulation of vomiting.
Laryngeal Mask Airway (Classic LMA) is indicated for unconscious patients unable to maintain their airway and is widely used in anesthesia and airway rescue.
BASKA mask is a second-generation supraglottic airway designed for unconscious patients under general anesthesia, commonly in elective surgical settings.
LMA Supreme supports positive pressure ventilation in unconscious patients and includes a gastric drainage channel to reduce insufflation risk.
Laryngeal tube is an alternative supraglottic airway used for ventilation in unconscious patients, particularly in emergency and prehospital care.
None of these devices constitute a definitive airway, as they do not provide complete protection against aspiration. Correct device selection should always consider patient consciousness, gag reflex, ventilation requirements, and clinical setting.