Airway laser procedures in children and the American Society of Anesthesiologists’ Practice Advisory: A survey among pediatric anesthesiologists

Background and objectivesRecognizing the risk of fire during laser procedures involving the airway, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) developed recommendations designed to promote safe practice and reduce burn injuries. The aim of this study was to identify how reported anesthetic management of airway laser endoscopies in pediatric patients aligns with the ASA Practice Advisory (ASA-PA).MethodsAn online survey was created in an iterative process, pilot-tested, and distributed using the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia's (SPA) membership email list. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics.ResultsResponses from 322 respondents were included, 296 (92%) of whom participated in pediatric laser airway procedures. Fifty-nine respondents (20%) reported the use of an inspired fraction of oxygen (FiO2) of 90% or greater during laser activation in patients with a native airway, and 101 (34%) reported not waiting after the reduction of the FiO2 and laser activation in the airway. Sixty-four (36%) of respondents reporting the use of a non-laser-safe tube during laser airway cases did so due to a lack of availability of a laser specific tube or size limitations. Six respondents (2%) reported an airway fire during a laser procedure in a child under their care.ConclusionsOur results indicate that, in general, pediatric anesthesiologists do not adhere to the ASA-PA in several important aspects. Possible explanations might be knowledge deficiencies about the Practice Advisory or a perceived limited clinical applicability in the pediatric setting. Regardless, airway fires during laser airway surgeries in this population do occur, emphasizing the need for safe practice standards for both anesthesiologists and surgeons.