The cuffed oropharyngeal airway. Its clinical use in 100 patients.

We studied the efficacy of the cuffed oropharyngeal airway in 100 patients. Insertion of the airway after induction of anaesthesia with propofol was easy in 95 of 100 patients, moderately difficult in four patients and failed in one patient. Complications, such as coughing, gagging or body movement, occurred during induction and insertion in 15 patients. Insertion of the airway was not associated with tachycardia or hypertension. Manual ventilation through the airway was easy in less than 30% of patients immediately after insertion. Manual ventilation became easier after adjusting the position of the patient's head, neck or jaw. During spontaneous breathing, adjustment of the head, neck or jaw was required in 30% of patients. Complete airway obstruction occurred in one patient after insertion of the device and in two patients during maintenance of anaesthesia. The airway was left in place during emergence from anaesthesia in the remaining 97 patients. No complications occurred in 91 patients and coughing occurred in the remaining six patients before or during removal of the airway. No regurgitation, vomiting or laryngospasm occurred in any patient at any time. Therefore, the cuffed oropharyngeal airway has a potential use in anaesthetised patients who are breathing spontaneously.