Multidisciplinary international expert consensus on perioperative airway management
- PMID: 40386733
- PMCID: PMC12082217
- DOI: 10.21037/tlcr-2025-273
Multidisciplinary international expert consensus on perioperative airway management
Abstract
Background: Perioperative airway management is critical for patient safety and optimal surgical outcomes. Effective airway management reduces postoperative pulmonary complications and accelerates recovery. This expert consensus aims to update the earlier consensus based on the latest research and emphasize aspects that were previously overlooked.
Methods: A comprehensive search up to June 2024 was performed. Earlier consensus documents were reviewed to ensure thorough coverage. A modified Delphi method involved 62 domestic experts from various surgical and anesthetic specialties who discussed and voted on preliminary recommendations in face-to-face meetings, requiring ≥70% agreement. Drafts were then reviewed by 18 international experts via email to incorporate diverse insights.
Results: Through the modified Delphi method, consensus was achieved with ≥70% agreement among the 62 domestic experts, ensuring that the preliminary recommendations were robust and widely supported. Additionally, feedback from the 18 international experts provided diverse insights that further refined and validated the recommendations. Recommendations were established for preoperative airway preparation, anesthesia management, surgical approach, postoperative airway management, and managing coexisting respiratory diseases. These recommendations update the perspectives of earlier consensus documents based on the latest research and emphasize non-intubated surgery, inhalation therapy, and individualized treatment for patients with coexisting pulmonary diseases.
Conclusions: This expert consensus provides a valuable reference for clinical practice. Further technological optimization and clinical research are needed to improve perioperative airway management.
Keywords: Perioperative airway management; anesthesia; coexisting pulmonary disease; inhalation therapy; non-intubated surgery.
Copyright © 2025 AME Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Conflict of interest statement
Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at https://tlcr.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/tlcr-2025-273/coif). Maria Rodriguez reports consulting fees and payment for lectures/activities from AstraZeneca, Abex/Intuitive and Johnson and Johnson. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
References
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- Batchelor TJP, Rasburn NJ, Abdelnour-Berchtold E, et al. Guidelines for enhanced recovery after lung surgery: recommendations of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS®) Society and the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS). Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2019;55:91-115. 10.1093/ejcts/ezy301 - DOI - PubMed
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- Zhi XY, Liu LX, Writing Committee of Chinese Guidelines for Perioperative Airway Management in Thoracic Surgery (2020 edition). Chinese Guidelines for Perioperative Airway Management in Thoracic Surgery (2020 edition). Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2021;28:251-62.
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