A suction catheter is a medical device used to extract bodily secretions, such as mucus or saliva from the upper airway.
A suction catheter connects to a suction machine or collection canister.
A suction catheter can help prevent aspiration in a patient undergoing dental treatment, especially if the patient is in an altered state of consciousness. Patients at risk of aspiration–such as those with pneumonia, continuous vomiting, or a bloody airway–may need suctioning to prevent aspiration