As experts in airway management, anesthesiologists are at risk for liability from patient airway trauma occurring during endotracheal intubation. Dental claims are excluded from this database. Database Most common complications in the ASA Closed Claims Project database.
Some claims involve multiple complications.
Payment distribution analyzed by Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. These data represent claims where this could be judged by the reviewers. The percentage is based on claims without missing data. None of the temporomandibular joint injuries was associated with difficult intubation. Difficult intubation was more likely a factor in injuries to the esophagus, pharynx, trachea and multiple sites.