FAILED INTUBATION REVISITED - 17-YR EXPERIENCE IN A TEACHING MATERNITY UNIT

We have reviewed 5802 Caesarean sections performed during general anae sthesia. Our use of general anaesthesia had decreased from 83% in 1981 to 23% in 1994. Despite this, the incidence of failed intubation has increased from 1 in 1984 to 1 in 250 in 1994. The problems associated with general anaesthesia in the obstetric population are increasing. A sians and African/Afrocaribbeans were represented disproportionately b ecause of the increased use of general anaesthesia in these patients. Exposure of trainees to obstetric general anaesthetics has decreased b y one-third.