The oropharyngeal airway was first described by Arthur Guedel in 1933 and is also known as the Guedel airway (Fig 1). It is a hollow, partially flattened plastic tube, formed in the shape of the superior surface of the tongue.

These airways open the mouth of the patient, lifting the tongue from the hypopharynx and thereby clearing the airway.

The Guedel airway is available in adult sizes 2-5, ranging from 80-120 mm in length. These are disposable and low cost.