BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of asthma is increasing and anesthesiologists may start seeing this clinical manifestation more often in the perioperative period. This study aimed at investigating different bronchospasm management techniques during anesthesia. METHODS: A questionnaire was mailed to a stratified sample of 108 anesthesiologists from the Anesthesiology Society of State of São Paulo (SAESP). Questions involved individual bronchospasm statistics and management, clinical evolution, professional experience and the management of patients with upper airway infection (UAI). RESULTS: After mailing three stratified samples (324 questionnaires), 73 questionnaires were returned with a reported bronchospasm incidence of 0.90%. Management techniques were: steroids (90.41%), halogenates (68.49%), teophylline (50.68%), inhalational beta2-agonists (47.95%) and epinephrine (41.10%). Most anesthesiologists would discontinue general (84.93%) or regional anesthesia (64,38%) in UAI patients. CONCLUSIONS: The diversity of reported treatments indicate the need for spreading international protocols on asthma treatment and control, emphasizing the specific use of inhalational beta2- agonists and steroids.
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