Code:0606001003 A curved piece of plastic inserted over the tongue that creates an air passage way between the mouth and the posterior pharyngeal wall. Useful when the tongue and/or epiglottis fall back against the posterior pharynx in anesthetized or unconscious patients obstructing the flow of air. The preferred technique is to use a tongue blade to depress the tongue and then insert the airway posteriorly. An alternate technique is to insert the oral airway upside down until the soft palate is reached. Rotate the device 180 degrees and slip it over the tongue. Be sure not to use the airway to push the tongue backward and block, rather than clear, the airway. This device is poorly tolerated in conscious patients and may induce gagging, vomiting and aspiration.