Airway

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Introduction | Pre-op | Monitoring | Post-op |

Airway

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Failed tracheal intubation occurs in fewer than 0.35% of patients. However, this rare event, difficulty in managing the airway leading to hypoventilation and hypoxemia is the single most important cause of anesthesia related morbidity and mortality

A review of causes of anesthesia related morbidity and mortality shows:

Respiratory events comprise 34% of adult malpractice claims in anesthesiology

Of these, 85% result in death or brain damage

In response, the ASA Task Force difficult airway algorithm was developed.

References

1. Caplan RA, Posner KL, Ward RJ, and Cheney, FW "Adverse Respiratory Events in Anesthesia: a closed claims analysis" Anesthesiology 72: 828-833, 1990

2. Morray, et al. "A Comparison of Pediatric and Adult Anesthesia Closed Malpractice Claims" Anesthesiology 78: 461-467, 1993

3. Benumof J., M. Bishop, C. Blitt, R. Caplan, F. Cheney, T. Davidson, D. Gaba, and E. Pierce, November 2, 1990 in San Francisco.

4. Benumof JL.Laryngeal Mask Airway and the ASA Difficult Airway Algorithm. Anesthesiology, 84: 686-699, 1996

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