For patients with minimal problems and noticeable nasal airway obstruction, devices that splay the alae are easy to obtain and test. Nasal trumpets may be useful for short-term management in select cases. Trumpets commonly are employed in postanesthesia airway management. They bypass any nasal, soft palate, and often, tongue base obstructions. OAs exist for every variety of anatomical variation and pathology.
Many devices exist that can advance the soft palate, tongue, or mandible, thus opening the airway.
Those that advance the soft palate seldom are employed, most likely because of gag, discomfort, and the success of laser and radio frequency soft-palate procedures. Probably for similar reasons, and because of the success of adjustable OAs, devices that advance the tongue alone are used rarely. During obstructive apneas, the collapsed pharynx prevents airflow, which is worsened by continued negative pressure generated by respiratory efforts. The vicious cycle continues until the patient is aroused. Compared to other treatment modalities, OA therapy has several advantages.