This chapter focuses on a study reviewing management of difficult airways to address the question: What are the patterns of liability associated with malpractice claims arising from cases involving difficult airway management? This was a historical study of cases of difficult airway claims occurring between 1985 and 1999, which were reviewed in conjunction with the success of the Difficult Airway Guidelines published in 1993. Although this is a retrospective review, analysis of difficult airway claims demonstrated a reduction in death or brain damage with induction of anesthesia in 1993–1999 compared with 1985–1992, suggesting that the Difficult Airway Guidelines published in 1993 improved airway management planning in cases with anticipated difficult airways.
Death and brain damage from difficult airway management: a “never event”
