Awareness among anesthesia residents pertaining to various intubation techniques in craniofacial surgery: A questionnaire study

AIM: This study was intended to evaluate the knowledge and clinical skill of anesthesia residents pertaining to various intubation techniques employed in craniofacial surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey research design was employed in this study. A self-administered questionnaire survey was used to validate the knowledge and clinical skill of anesthesia residents pertaining to various intubation techniques employed in craniofacial surgery. In this regard, a preliminary study with a convenience sample of 156 anesthesia residents studying in various medical institutions across South India was conducted so as to assess the knowledge and clinical skill of anesthesia residents pertaining to various intubation techniques employed in craniofacial surgery. This study, while limited in sample size, benefits the craniofacial surgeons and anesthetists as target readers to assess the knowledge and clinical skill of anesthesia residents pertaining to various intubation techniques employed in craniofacial surgery RESULTS: The results of this study reveal that majority of the anesthesia residents encountered craniofacial surgery during their residency period. However, only 19.87% have performed various intubation techniques that are employed in craniofacial surgery. Nearly 38.46% of the participants felt that blind awake intubation is the most difficult intubation technique to employ in the head-and-neck region and requires expertise. Nearly 78.84% of the participants felt that special training is required for handling craniofacial surgical cases under general anesthesia. CONCLUSION: The results of this study reveal that there is a dearth of knowledge and clinical exposure among anesthesia residents regarding various intubation techniques employed in craniofacial surgery. Educational and quality improvement initiatives in various intubation techniques could enhance anesthesia residents' knowledge and clinical exposure in managing various craniofacial surgical cases.