Airway Survey - International Airway Assessment Practices (2023-2028)

This international, multicenter, observational survey study aims to assess current clinical practices in preoperative airway assessment in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland at both the institutional and individual anesthesiologist levels. The study focuses on the use of individual airway assessment parameters versus combined assessment scores, as well as current documentation practices. An initial survey will establish baseline practices before the anticipated publication of the updated German Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine (DGAI) guidelines in 2028. A follow-up survey will be conducted after guideline publication to evaluate potential changes in clinical practice. The study aims to identify differences between the three participating countries and assess changes in airway assessment and documentation practices following the publication of the updated guidelines.

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Institutions Hospitals in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland with an established department of anesthesiology. Ambulatory surgical centers providing exclusively outpatient surgical care and involving anesthesiology services. 2. Individual Participants Anesthesiologists currently practicing in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland, including residents in anesthesiology and board-certified anesthesiologists. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Institutions Hospitals without an anesthesiology department. Ambulatory surgical centers without anesthesiology services. Institutions located outside Germany, Austria, or Switzerland. 2. Individual Participants Physicians not currently practicing anesthesiology. Anesthesiologists practicing exclusively outside Germany, Austria, or Switzerland. Individuals who do not provide informed consent to participate in the survey.