Specialist Interest Area (SIA): Anaesthesia for Patients with Complex Airways – Severn Anaesthesia
This SIA is designed for Stage 3 anaesthetic trainees with an interest in the assessment and management of patients with complex airways. Based in a DGH with a strong ENT and head & neck surgical workload, the post offers close supervision and hands-on experience with senior airway anaesthetists and ENT surgeons specialising in head and neck cancers, trans-oral laser surgery, and thyroid surgery.
Trainees will gain extensive exposure to advanced airway techniques, including the use of both the Monsoon high-frequency jet ventilator and Manujet system. There are ample opportunities to develop confidence and competence in awake fibreoptic intubation, THRIVE apnoeic oxygenation, and (where appropriate) awake laryngoscopy.
The post also supports multidisciplinary training, with access to ENT outpatient clinics to refine nasendoscopy skills, and participation in ENT multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings. Trainees are encouraged to attend preoperative assessment clinics, where they will be involved in evaluating and planning perioperative care for patients with complex head and neck pathology.
In addition to clinical experience, the department has a strong track record in quality improvement and research, often under the mentorship of consultant anaesthetist Professor Tim Cook. Trainees will be well supported in pursuing their own QI projects or contributing to ongoing departmental work, with opportunities to present and publish.
The only Key Capability that may be challenging to achieve within this post is the 'management of the difficult paediatric airways that may present in any non-specialist hospital'. However, this can be addressed by arranging a short secondment to a nearby children's hospital to ensure comprehensive SIA coverage.
This SIA provides a rich and highly specialised experience in complex airway management, preparing trainees for consultant practice in a subspecialist or general role with enhanced airway expertise.
SIA Lead – Dr Stuart Gold