Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026

A Novel Rescue Technique for Difficult Intubation and Difficult Ventilation
Published on: January 17, 2011
Use of the cuffed oropharyngeal airway for manual ventilation by nonanaesthetists
1Department of Anaesthetics, Gloucester Royal NHS Trust, UK.
Abstract:
We studied the use of the cuffed oropharyngeal airway in 100 ASA I and II anaesthetised patients. In the first 50 patients (group A), an experienced anaesthetist inserted the airway. The optimum sizes and cuff volumes for manual ventilation in adult males and females were found to be sizes 11 and 10 with up to 60 ml and 50 ml in each cuff, respectively. Manual ventilation was clinically successful in 49/50 (98%) of these patients. Using these recommendations and following a brief tutorial, a group of 50 nonanaesthetic, basic life-support providers attempted to insert a cuffed oropharyngeal airway and manually ventilate the lungs of a subsequent 50 patients (group NA). Clinically adequate tidal volumes were achieved within 45 s in 47/50 (94%) patients in this group. A persistent leak was present in 21/49 (43%) and 24/47 (51%) of the successful insertions in each group, but this did not affect the ability to ventilate the lungs adequately. The cuffed oropharyngeal airway may offer an effective method of providing adequate ventilation during resuscitation by nonanaesthetic hospital staff.
Related Concept Videos
Suctioning the Nasopharyngeal Airway
Equipment Required
Endotracheal Intubation I: Procedure
The ET tube comprises various components, including a standard adaptor to attach a bag-valve-mask (BVM) or ventilator, a cuff, a pilot balloon, and radiopaque markings along its length to measure the insertion distance. The tube sizes...
Mechanical Ventilation II: Invasive Ventilation
Negative-Pressure Ventilators
Negative-pressure ventilators create a vacuum around the chest or body to draw air into the lungs, simulating breathing. This method does not require an...
Suctioning the Oropharyngeal Airway
After assembling the equipment, the nurse should practice hand hygiene and don appropriate PPE according to infection control guidelines to avoid the...
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation II: ACLS Airway Management
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation V: Advanced Airway Management Techniques

