Gender difference in mask ventilation training of anesthesia residents

Study ObjectiveTo investigate whether gender difference has an effect on an anesthesia resident's ability to perform successful mask ventilation.DesignCohort study.SettingSurgical operation theater of a university-affiliated hospital.Patients839 ASA physical status I, II, and III patients undergoing general anesthesia performed by residents.InterventionMask ventilation was performed by 21 different anesthesia residents.MeasurementsDifficult mask ventilation was defined as the inability of an unassisted resident to maintain oxygen saturation, significant gas flow leakage beneath the face mask, need to increase gas flow, no perceptible chest movement, assistance required using a two-handed mask ventilation technique, or use of the oxygen flush valve more than twice.Main ResultsInstances of difficult mask ventilation were observed in 210 patients (25.0%), though all were adequately ventilated with a face mask. Difficult mask ventilation was observed significantly more often with female (29.8%) than male (20.0%) residents. Residents' gender was shown to be an independent risk factor for difficult mask ventilation.ConclusionsGender difference has an effect on the mask ventilation learning process, as it was more difficult for female residents to provide a tight air seal in the early stage of training.