Oropharyngeal airways (OPAs) are useful in maintaining airway patency in unconscious patients of all ages. OPAs are often referred to as a Guedel's airways, after the American physician who developed them. These devices are useful adjuncts in unconscious patients, but do carry risks if not sized or inserted correctly.
General paediatric airway considerations:
When inserting an OPA in children under 8-years-old:
If you are interested in updating your knowledge and confidence in paediatric airway management, you may be interested in attending our Paediatric Advanced Life Support courses These workshops utilise a simulation based approach and are based upon the current Australian Resuscitation Council guidelines.
For a full list of events and courses please visit https://medcast.com.au/courses.
References:
Australian and New Zealand Council on Resuscitation (ANZCOR) ANZCOR Guideline 12.6 – Introduction to Paediatric Advanced Life Support Techniques in Paediatric Advanced Life Support.
Hambrecht, K. (2019). Cardiopulmonary resuscitation: basic and advanced life support. Chapter 70 in Brown, D., Edwards, H., Buckley, T., and Aitken, R.L. (eds.). Lewis’s Medical-Surgical Nursing: Assessment and Management of Clinical Problems. (5th edn.). Elsevier: Chatswood.
Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne (RCH) 2019, The Paediatric Trauma Manual: Airway Procedures.
Content reviewed 2/2025
Susan is the Head of Nursing Education for the Medcast Group.
DipAppScNsg, BN, CritCareCert, CoronaryCareCert, TraumaNsgCareCert, CertIV(TAE), MN(Ed), and GradCert(Ldrshp & Mgt).
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