Gender difference in mask ventilation training of anesthesia residents.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether gender difference has an effect on an anesthesia resident's ability to perform successful mask ventilation.


METHODS
Cohort study.


METHODS
Surgical operation theater of a university-affiliated hospital.


METHODS
839 ASA physical status I, II, and III patients undergoing general anesthesia performed by residents.


METHODS
Mask ventilation was performed by 21 different anesthesia residents.


METHODS
Difficult mask ventilation was defined as the inability of an unassisted resident to maintain oxygen saturation, significant gas flow leakage beneath the face mask, need to increase gas flow, no perceptible chest movement, assistance required using a two-handed mask ventilation technique, or use of the oxygen flush valve more than twice.


RESULTS
Instances of difficult mask ventilation were observed in 210 patients (25.0%), though all were adequately ventilated with a face mask. Difficult mask ventilation was observed significantly more often with female (29.8%) than male (20.0%) residents. Residents' gender was shown to be an independent risk factor for difficult mask ventilation.


CONCLUSIONS
Gender difference has an effect on the mask ventilation learning process, as it was more difficult for female residents to provide a tight air seal in the early stage of training.
Koga
Tomomichi
T
Division of Clinical Medical Science, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 734-8551, Chugoku Rosai General Hospital, Kure 737-0193, Japan. kogacci@chugokuh.rofuku.go.jp
Kawamoto
Masashi
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000193:education; D002983:Clinical Competence; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000592:standards*; D017214:Laryngeal Masks; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult