Did death/brain damage claims from difficult airway management during anesthesia induction decrease in 1993-1999 compared to 1985-1992?
Death or brain damage claims associated with difficult airway management during anesthesia induction decreased in the 1990s compared to the 1980s, highlighting a need for improved strategies during other anesthesia phases.
Death/BD in claims from difficult airway management associated with induction of anesthesia but not other phases of anesthesia decreased in 1993-1999 compared with 1985-1992. Development of additional management strategies for difficult airways encountered during maintenance, emergence, or recovery from anesthesia may improve patient safety.
Peterson et al. (Mon,) studied this question.