Chapter 05: The Importance of Hagberg and Benumof’s Airway Management to Anesthesiology

Authors

• Carin Hagberg M.D., FASA, FACHE, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
• Jose Javier Garza, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Files

Description

Dr. Hagberg talks about her experiences as an author in this chapter. Beginning with her first clinical study on laryngeal mask airway intubation, she describes publishing as a way to enhance discovery, not just for authors themselves but for future clinicians as well. Writing helps researchers because it forces clarity of thought, sharpens reasoning, and creates a record that others can build on. Publishing also requires transparency, helping others understand both what works and what limitations exist in the research.

She highlights the importance of her textbook, Hagberg and Benumof’s Airway Management, to anesthesiology and to other fields, including internal medicine, surgery, and emergency medicine. Variation in airway management is risky for patients, and the book provides an evidence-based framework to help standardize approaches. The book [EG4.1]also has an international role because these principles apply even across different countries and training models.

She describes the book as having three purposes. First, as a trusted reference with authoritative guidance. Second, as a teaching tool that builds foundational knowledge and judgment. Third, as a foundation for others to build on as medicine evolves. She summarizes her goal with the motto: Safe airways everywhere.

Identifier

HagbergC_20260224_C05

Publication Date

2-24-2026

Interview Session

Carin Hagberg MD, FASA Oral History Interview, February 24, 2026

Topic Covered

The Educator; Career and Accomplishments; Contributions; Evolution of Career; The Life and Dedication of Clinicians and Researchers

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.

Disciplines

History of Science, Technology, and Medicine | Oncology | Oral History

Transcript

Jose Javier Garza

Yeah, so I wanted to shift a little bit more to kind of your output as an author. So, how has publishing been important to your career as education researcher and clinician?

Carin A. Hagberg, M.D., FASA, FACHE

Well, I have to say, publishing has been important in my career and to my career but not because of the volume, but because of, I would say, our responsibility to enhance discovery. And also, Javier, because it’s exciting. I find it very enjoyable. You know, I have fun doing it. So, very early on, my first clinical study examined the laryngeal mask airway as an intubation conduit. And at the time, it was really an evolving tool. And clinicians were trying to understand how and when it could be used safely. So, for me, publishing that work wasn’t about just adding a line to my CV. It was about contributing something important and providing clarity. It’s that discovery piece that really catches you. And if something works, we need to explain why, but if it has limitations, we need to say why those exist, too. We need to define them or—you know—don’t even let the product come to market in the first place. And I’ve done that. I’ve advised, No, this should not come forward. And they listen, but that’s how care improves.

And as clinicians, we care for patients one at a time, but when we publish thoughtfully with that rigor, accuracy, and humility, we extend what we’ve learned far beyond our own operating room or institution, right? It’s so much more broad. It’s also deeply tied to education. So, writing forces you to think clearly. It sharpens your reasoning. And it creates a durable record that others can build upon or even challenge. Someone might not agree with you—your conclusions. But anyway, for me, publishing has never been about the quantity. It’s about clarity, accuracy, and the opportunity to prove care for patients that I will—that I may never personally meet. So, to me, it means progress and what makes it meaningful. And, really, that’s what makes it meaningful to me.

Jose Javier Garza

Wonderful! So, what impact do you hope works like Hagberg and Benumof’s Airway Management will have on the field?

Carin A. Hagberg, M.D., FASA, FACHE

Well, when I think about Hagberg and Benumof’s Airway Management textbook, I think about really the responsibility to the field. And when I say the field—you know—I say field of airway management. It is not restricted to the profession of anesthesiology. It goes into surgeons. Remember, the surgeon got me out of trouble, right? It goes into emergency medicine physicians, anyone, intensivists. It’s a field,—but for anesthesiology, I would say airway management is one of the highest risk areas for us—for our profession. Vdariation in approach can mean the difference between stability and catastrophe. And one of our primary goals with the book has always been standardization. It’s been distribution of knowledge, but when I say standardization, I don’t mean rigidity, Javier. I mean providing clarity—you know—providing evidence-based frameworks that clinicians can rely on when seconds matter, but safety is central. That is definitely a theme throughout the book. But we wanted the text to reflect not just techniques but decision-making, preparation, and systems thinking. And airway crises are rarely solved by heroics. They’re prevented by structure and anticipation. We also wanted it to be globally relevant.

Now, the book has been translated in the past into the Chinese language, but airway challenges can look different in different environments. And we also know that resources vary in different environments. Training models vary, but the principles of preparation, escalation, teamwork, are universal. I know I keep saying the same thing over and over, sorry, but it’s just so true. It is what I teach. So I guess I’m teaching you. (laughter) Sorry about that. You can’t take it out of me, but I think—you know—when I think about the book—I like to do things in threes. It’s easy for me to remember that way, but I think the book serves three purposes. First, as a trusted reference, so something clinicians can reach for when they need authoritative guidance. Second, as a teaching tool, it helps trainees develop sound judgment early in their careers. And third, as a foundation others can build on. We know medicine evolves. New devices will emerge. Evidence is going to change; guidelines change. So, if the book creates a durable framework that future leaders can refine and improve themselves, then it’s done its job. So, really, ultimately, the goal is simple. Safer airways everywhere. It’s a poster. (laughter)

Jose Javier Garza

Thank you. And you actually did—and that actually kind of touches a point that you’ve is that this is not—this is also meant for global standardization for these procedures. So, thank you.

Carin A. Hagberg, M.D., FASA, FACHE

You’re welcome.

Recommended Citation

Hagberg, Carin M.D., FASA, FACHE and Garza, Jose Javier, "Chapter 05: The Importance of Hagberg and Benumof’s Airway Management to Anesthesiology" (2026). Interview Chapters. 1617.
https://openworks.mdanderson.org/mchv_interviewchapters/1617

Conditions Governing Access

Open