We recommend assessing the patient’s airway before any procedure. (1C)

We recommend performing multiple tests to improve the positive-predictive and negative-predictive values of preprocedural airway assessment. (1A)

We suggest using the minimum set of airway assessment tests that may vary among patients depending on specific underlying pathologies. (2C).

For a comprehensive risk assessment, including the postanaesthesia care, the minimum set of airway assessment tests should include, apart from anatomical tests,the evaluation of physiology, environment, devices and the individual and team expertise. (1C).

In case of predicted and previously experienced difficult airway, we recommend informing the patient adequately and obtaining consent for specific procedures (e.g. awake intubation), and an alert form should be given to the patient in case of future procedures requiring airway management. (1C)

We do not recommend routine admission to the ICU for patients with stable cardiac diseases undergoing elective major surgery. Selective access to the ICU in this subset of patients following a multidisciplinary evaluation of the risk-to-benefit ratio might be more appropriate. (1C)

The role of prehabilitation should be established in noncardiac surgery patients. (2B)

Nutritional support before surgery should be considered in noncardiac surgery patients. (2C)

We recommend using frailty testing as an effective tool for predicting postoperative outcomes, especially for assessing the risk of delirium. (1C)

We recommend using the Clinical Frailty Scale if the preoperative anaesthesia physical examination reveals the presence of a frailty phenotype. We should ask for an evaluation from a geriatrician to improve the cognitive, nutritional and comorbidity status by delaying surgery (time-sensitive or elective procedures) whenever possible.(1C)