Preoperative Evaluation
Authors: Christine Laine
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2009)

In the Clinic7 July 2009Preoperative EvaluationChristine Laine, MD, MPH, Sankey Williams, MD, and Jennifer F. WilsonChristine Laine, MD, MPHSearch for more papers by this author, Sankey Williams, MDSearch for more papers by this author, and Jennifer F. WilsonSearch for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-151-1-200907070-01006 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Although every surgical procedure carries some degree of risk, most surgeries carry minimal risk. The goal of preoperative risk assessment is to identify procedure and patient factors that significantly elevate the risk for complications. Careful, directed preoperative evaluation enables implementation of strategies to mitigate risk.Risk FactorsWhat is the risk for medical complications from surgery in healthy patients?Healthy patients have significant physiologic reserves and tolerate major and minor surgical procedures well. The risk for serious medical complications from surgery is less than 0.1% overall in healthy patients. When evaluating healthy patients before surgery, physicians should use a focused history ...References1. Warner MA, Shields SE, Chute CG. Major morbidity and mortality within 1 month of ambulatory surgery and anesthesia. JAMA. 1993;270:1437-41. [PMID: 8371443] Google Scholar2. Gawande AA, Thomas EJ, Zinner MJ, et al. The incidence and nature of surgical adverse events in Colorado and Utah in 1992. Surgery. 1999;126:66-75. [PMID: 10418594] Google Scholar3. Khuri SF, Daley J, Henderson W, et al. 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