Yankauer's Suction

Yankauer's suction tip is commonly used in sucking out oropharyngeal secretions. This suction tip is used in tonsillectomy and other oropharyngeal surgical procedures to suck blood and secretions. This suction catheter was designed by Sidney Yankauer of New York. He was an otolaryngologist by profession.

This suction catheter is available in two forms Metal and disposable plastic. It has a unique curvature which mimics the curvature of the oropharynx. Its tip is blunt and guarded and hence does not cause mucosal trauma while suctioning. Plastic suction catheters have safety vent which needs to be occluded to increase suctioning effect. There are instances during emergencies the physician has failed to occlude the safety vent of the disposable plastic suction catheter there by causing reduced suctioning effect which had hindered the patient's treatment.