Suction Pressures

While most suction units are capable of generating very high negative pressures (often in the range of 500–550 mmHg), that reflects the maximum capability of the equipment, not the recommended pressure to apply to a patient.

For adult patients, current teaching and best practice support suction pressures of approximately 100–150 mmHg for oropharyngeal suctioning with a Yankauer, and slightly lower pressures (around 80–120 mmHg) for deep suctioning.

Using higher pressures increases the risk of hypoxia, vagal stimulation, mucosal injury, bleeding, atelectasis, and bronchospasm, particularly during deep or prolonged suctioning.

Higher suction pressures may be briefly used in exceptional circumstances, such as rapidly clearing gross blood or vomitus from the airway, but this should not be the routine setting.

In short, the goal is to use the lowest effective suction pressure needed to safely clear the airway while minimizing patient harm.