British Journal of Anaesthesia 106 (5): 613–16 (2011) doi:10.1093/bja/aer088 EDITORIAL A firm foundation for progress in airway management

Failure to secure a clear airway can be fatal. In 1990, an analysis of anaesthesia-related closed claims in the USA revealed that adverse outcomes involving the respiratory system were the single largest class of injury and that the incidence of death or permanent brain damage associated with airway problems was much higher than that associated with cardiovascular issues.1 Since then, major efforts have been made to reduce the serious adverse outcomes associated with airway manage-ment; major guidelines for difficult airway management have been formulated, new reliable airway devices devel-oped, and oximetry and capnography have become available widely. Because of these efforts, the incidence of serious adverse outcomes is likely to have decreased,2 and airway management can now be regarded as a safe procedure