Abstract
Introduction
Nasopharyngeal (NP) and oropharyngeal (OP) suctioning are airway clearance techniques (ACTs) used to maintain airway patency and enhance gas exchange by removing secretions in an acutely unwell self-ventilating patient. Data on the current use of NP and OP suctioning by physiotherapists are scarce.
Aim and objectives
To investigate the use of NP and OP suctioning by physiotherapists in the UK.
Methods
An anonymous online questionnaire was developed in Microsoft Forms. UK-registered physiotherapists working in respiratory practice were invited to complete the survey via professional organisations and social media between May and June 2021. Data were analysed descriptively.
Results
Respondents (N=134) mainly worked in the National Health Service (99%) in England (89%) across various clinical speciality levels. The median (IQR) frequency of treatment involving either NP or OP suctioning was 3 (1,5) in the preceding month. Suctioning was usually reported as being successful (92%) and most commonly administered following manual airway clearance techniques (78%), mechanical in/exsufflation (61%), and/or positioning and postural drainage (52%). The majority of respondents reported they performed suctioning with a lubricant (98%) and a nasal pharyngeal airway in situ (95%). Respondents reported experience of a number of adverse effects in relation to NP or OP suction, most notably bleeding (80%), hypoxaemia (63%), and tachycardia (58%).
Conclusions
Although NP/OP suctioning is an important ACT in UK physiotherapy practice, it is highly invasive and carries the risk of adverse effects and negative patient experience. Further research and development of adaptations and less invasive alternatives to the technique are warranted.
Nasopharyngeal (NP) and oropharyngeal (OP) suctioning are airway clearance techniques (ACTs) used to maintain airway patency and enhance gas exchange by removing secretions in an acutely unwell self-ventilating patient. Data on the current use of NP and OP suctioning by physiotherapists are scarce.
Aim and objectives
To investigate the use of NP and OP suctioning by physiotherapists in the UK.
Methods
An anonymous online questionnaire was developed in Microsoft Forms. UK-registered physiotherapists working in respiratory practice were invited to complete the survey via professional organisations and social media between May and June 2021. Data were analysed descriptively.
Results
Respondents (N=134) mainly worked in the National Health Service (99%) in England (89%) across various clinical speciality levels. The median (IQR) frequency of treatment involving either NP or OP suctioning was 3 (1,5) in the preceding month. Suctioning was usually reported as being successful (92%) and most commonly administered following manual airway clearance techniques (78%), mechanical in/exsufflation (61%), and/or positioning and postural drainage (52%). The majority of respondents reported they performed suctioning with a lubricant (98%) and a nasal pharyngeal airway in situ (95%). Respondents reported experience of a number of adverse effects in relation to NP or OP suction, most notably bleeding (80%), hypoxaemia (63%), and tachycardia (58%).
Conclusions
Although NP/OP suctioning is an important ACT in UK physiotherapy practice, it is highly invasive and carries the risk of adverse effects and negative patient experience. Further research and development of adaptations and less invasive alternatives to the technique are warranted.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | (In-Press) |
| Number of pages | 22 |
| Journal | Physiotherapy |
| Volume | (In-Press) |
| Early online date | 4 Mar 2025 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 4 Mar 2025 |
Bibliographical note
Please cite this article as: Riyaz Koheeallee, Stefan Tino Kulnik and AgnieszkaLewko, The use of nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal suctioning in
physiotherapy practice in the United Kingdom: a preliminary survey of current
practice, Physiotherapy, (2025) doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physio.2025.101779
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Keywords
- Respiratory Therapy
- LungAirway Clearance Technique
- Guedel
- Yankauer