Why Choose a Nasopharyngeal Airway for Maxillofacial Injuries?

Maxillofacial injuries can occur in car accidents, sports, violent incidents and more. They may block the airway and cause breathing difficulty. Therefore, keeping the airway open is the primary step in preventing serious complications. In these cases, a nasopharyngeal airway (NPA) is commonly utilized to assist patients to breathe.  But why is it the preferred choice for maxillofacial injuries? Now, take several minutes here to get the reasons.

Prevents Oral Blockage and Keeps Airway Open

Maxillofacial injuries can affect the patient's appearance and even threaten his or her life. They are often accompanied by various traumas in the oral cavity, such as:

• Oral or facial soft tissue lacerations

• Broken or loose teeth

• Oral bleeding

• Tongue swelling or displacement

• Etc.

If an oropharyngeal airway (OPA) is used for such injuries, it may further irritate the oral trauma site and even push blood or tooth fragments into the airway, causing more severe obstruction. In addition, oral injuries may cause pain and discomfort, making it difficult for patients to accept the OPA's insertion. 

In contrast, the nasopharyngeal airway tube is inserted through the nasal cavity, bypassing the mouth and directly entering the throat. This reduces the risk of suffocation caused by oral trauma. Maintaining airway patency is essential, especially when the patient is still breathing independently but has partial airway obstruction. 

Suitable for Patients with a Gag Reflex 

When choosing an airway device, it's important to check if the patient is conscious and has a gag reflex.

• OPA is for unconscious patients with no gag reflex. It can trigger vomiting if used on a semi-conscious person, leading to choking.

• NPA does not trigger the gag reflex and is safe even if the patient is awake or semi-conscious.

• For facial injury patients, avoiding choking is critical. NPAs lower the risk of aspiration (inhaling vomit), which could lead to pneumonia or suffocation.

PVC Nasopharyngeal Airway (Trumpet Type)

Protects Jaw Injuries and Reduces Complications

Facial injuries often include:

• Broken jaw or cheekbone

• Dislocated jaw joint

• Swelling or bruising on the face

These injuries make opening the mouth painful or impossible. Forcing an OPA into the mouth may cause more pain or worsen the injury.

An NPA does not require the mouth to open. It slides in through the nose, avoiding pressure on broken bones and allowing the patient to breathe without extra pain or risk.

Prevents Airway Collapse and Tongue Obstruction

Facial injuries can also affect tongue movement, leading to:

• The tongue falls back due to lost support from broken bones

• Swelling from internal bleeding

• Relaxation of tongue muscles in semi-conscious patients

An NPA helps keep the airway open by preventing the tongue from blocking airflow. Made of soft materials like silicone or PVC, it provides support while reducing discomfort. 

When Not to Use an NPA

Although the nasopharyngeal airway is widely used in maxillofacial trauma, it is not suitable for all patients, especially in the following cases, it should be used with caution or avoided:

Severe basilar skull fracture

If your patient has a basilar skull fracture, there may be a risk of the nasal cavity communicating with the skull. At this time, inserting a nasopharyngeal airway may cause the catheter to accidentally enter the cranial cavity, causing serious complications. Therefore, it's safe to choose endotracheal intubation or cricothyroidotomy for airway management instead. 

 

Deviated nasal septum or severe nasal damage

Some patients may have congenitally deviated nasal septum, nasal obstruction, swelling, or bleeding due to trauma. In this case, inserting a nasopharyngeal airway may be difficult to pass, and may even cause nasal mucosal damage or further bleeding. At this time, the doctor will evaluate and decide whether to use alternative options, such as endotracheal intubation. 

Beaver Medical – High-Quality NPAs for Emergency Care

Beaver Medical knows the importance of fast and effective airway management. Our nasopharyngeal airway tubes are designed to keep breathing clear and safe, even in complex facial injuries. 

What You Can Benefit from Our NPAs:

• Medical-grade silicone/PVC tube for comfort and safety

• Various sizes to fit different patients

• Smooth, curved design for easy insertion

• Lubricated surface to reduce irritation

Choosing the right airway device is critical in emergencies. Any interests, welcome to contact us, we have provided many hospitals with medical-grade products. With Beaver Medical NPAs, you can ensure patients receive the best care when they need it most.