Posterior displacement of the soft palate and epiglottis in unconscious patients results in upper airway obstruction with the rapid development of hypoxemia. The base of the tongue does not usually move posteriorly to the pharyngeal wall and produce obstruction, thus the oral airway is usually inadequate in opening the airway in this group of patients, since it does not relieve the soft palate and epiglottic obstruction. The jaw thrust maneuver may be much more effective than an oral airway in establishing the open airway. Early endotracheal intubation may be the most efficient way to establish the airway and save the lives of unconscious head-injured patients. If the oral route of intubation is chosen, the oral airway may be valuable in preventing the patient from biting the endotracheal tube and obstructing the airway. Curr Rev PACN. 1993; 15: 169.
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