Expect-It: A Validated Decision Tool That Improves Planning for Camera-Assisted and Awake Intubation in Head and Neck Surgery

Highlights

– Expect-It, a combined-score decision tool using prior airway history, physical exam, clinician ratings, and pharyngolaryngeal/transnasal videoendoscopy findings, was prospectively developed and validated in 1,282 anesthetic cases for head and neck surgery.

– Compared with clinician judgment alone, Expect-It greatly increased sensitivity for recommending camera-assisted (88% vs 35%) and awake (97% vs 29%) tracheal intubation while maintaining noninferior specificity.