ObjectiveTo understand the current status of difficult airway management in Guangxi public hospitals at all levels. MethodsThe investigation questionnaire was self-made, and Tencent questionnaire investigation platform was used to perform investigation on anesthesiologists in Guangxi class two and above public hospitals; in addition, their awareness and treatment of difficult airway management were understood. ResultsA total of 637 valid questionnaires were received from 126 Guangxi public hospitals. The ratio of operating room to anesthesiologists was 1 ∶1.47 in class three hospitals and 1 ∶1.14 in class two hospitals; furthermore, the ratio of operating room to end-tidal carbon dioxide monitor was 1 ∶0.94 in class three hospitals and 1 ∶0.72 in class two hospitals. The most common causes and types of difficult airway encountered by anesthesiologists were limited mouth opening (92.5%, 589/637) and obesity (90.7%, 578/637), and the most common airway assessment methods were mouth opening (83.0%, 529/637) and difficult airway history (79.0%, 503/637). A total of 43.8% (279/637) of the anesthesiologists had experience in dealing with emergency situations in which patents could not be intubated or ventilated, death or brain injury caused by difficult airway occurred in 13.5% (117/126) of public hospitals, 50% (63/126) of public hospitals had cancelled surgery due to difficult airway, and 95.8% (610/637) of anesthesiologists thought it was necessary to inform patients about the difficult airway, but only 29.5% (188/637) of anesthesiologists understood the difficult airway notification. ConclusionThere is still a shortage of anesthesiologists in Guangxi public hospitals. The penetration rate of difficult airway notification is on the low side, and there are still some anesthesiologists with insufficient knowledge or improper handling of difficult airway. It is necessary to strengthen their training on difficult airway and improve their ability to deal with difficult airway.

无