The perioperative and anesthetic adverse events in Thailand (PAAd Thai) study of endobronchial intubation: An analysis of 2,000 incident reports

Abstract

© JOURNAL OF THE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION OF THAILAND | 2020. Background: The Royal College of Anesthesiologists of Thailand hosted a multicentered project, namely the Perioperative and Anesthetic Adverse Events in Thailand (PAAd Thai) Study. Objective: The aims of the present study were to investigate incidences, contributing factors and suggested preventive strategies of anesthesia-related complications particularly the endobronchial intubation (EBI). Materials and Methods: The PAAd Thai study was a collaborative incident report among 22 hospitals across Thailand. After approval by the Institutional Ethical Committee, the structured incident report together with open ended data record form of anesthesia-related complications such as cardiac arrest, death within 24 hours, and respiratory complications including EBI were requested to be sent to the data management center together with monthly statistics of anesthesia service in each hospital for 12 months (between January 2015 and December 2015) on an anonymous and voluntary basis. The EBI reports were reviewed by three anesthesiologists. Any discretion was discussed to achieve a consensus. Descriptive statistics were used. Results: Among the first 2,000 incident reports, there were 23 EBIs, at the rate of 1.06:10,000 (95% CI 0.62 to 1.49) or 1.15% of all reports. Two-thirds of the incidents occurred in patients with age less than 5 years old and more than 60 years old, and in elective cases. The common sites of surgery were trunk, head and neck, and laparoscopic procedures. EBIs were diagnosed by pulse oximeter (13 cases, 54.0%), increased airway pressure (four cases, 17.2%) and clinical monitoring (four cases 17.2%). Common phases of detection were pre-induction (one case, 4.3%), induction (nine cases, 39.2%), maintenance (12 cases, 52.2%), and emergence (one case, 4.3%). Contributing factors were lack of knowledge, inexperience, and haste, while factors minimizing the incidents were having experience and vigilance. Suggested preventive strategies were additional training, including simulation, practice guidelines, improvement of supervision, and communication. Conclusion: The authors have found that EBI was uncommon, but it is one of the serious anesthesia-related adverse events. It can happen anytime during the entire course of anesthesia. Under these circumstances, careful monitoring and vigilance of the anesthesiologists is essential.