Improving Postoperative Outcomes Through Enhanced Preoperative Airway Assessment

Abstract

Dear Editor,

I read with great interest the recent article discussing predictors of difficult airway management in the perioperative setting. I would like to highlight an important point that warrants further emphasis: the continued need for standardized, comprehensive preoperative airway assessment across all surgical specialties.

Despite major advancements in airway devices and rescue techniques, unanticipated difficult airways remain a significant cause of anesthesia related morbidity. Several analyses, including reports from the Anesthesia Closed Claims Project, show that inadequate or incomplete preoperative airway assessment is frequently implicated in severe adverse events [1-2]. Even in high-risk populations, incomplete documentation of essential parameters such as mouth opening, neck mobility, Mallampati classification, and previous airway difficulties remains common [3].

Strengthening adherence to a standardized airway assessment protocol may reduce preventable complications. Incorporating structured checklists, routine use of point-of-care airway ultrasound for selected patients, and enhancing resident training have demonstrated potential to improve predictive accuracy [2,4]. Integrating electronic prompts or mandatory fields within preoperative evaluation systems could also ensure that critical airway variables are consistently captured.

Given the central importance of airway management in patient safety, I believe this issue deserves heightened attention in clinical practice and further research. I thank the authors for highlighting a topic that continues to be essential for improving perioperative outcomes.

Sincerely,
Dr Asfandiar Shah Rukh Hijaz