Preoperative medical consultation: maximizing its benefits

Abstract Background The increasing complexity of medical and surgical care often demands comprehensive preoperative work-ups by medical consultants and detailed management recommendations to optimize the patient's medical ailments before surgery. This article aims to review the available eviden...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The American journal of surgery 2012-11, Vol.204 (5), p.787-797
Main Authors: Rivera, Raul A., M.D., F.A.C.P, Nguyen, Mai T., M.D., F.A.C.P, Martinez-Osorio, Jorge I., M.D, McNeill, Matthew F., M.D, Ali, Sayed K., M.D, Mansi, Ishak A., M.D., F.A.C.P
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Cardiovascular disease
Comorbidity
Consultation
Elective Surgical Procedures
General aspects
General Surgery
Health participants
Health Status Indicators
Heart attacks
Humans
Intraoperative Complications - prevention & control
Medical
Medical consultation
Medical sciences
Mortality
Postoperative Complications - prevention & control
Practice Guidelines as Topic
Preoperative
Preoperative Care - methods
Preoperative consultation
Preoperative medical consultation
Psychotropic drugs
Public health. Hygiene
Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine
Referral and Consultation
Risk Assessment
Surgery
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Summary:Abstract Background The increasing complexity of medical and surgical care often demands comprehensive preoperative work-ups by medical consultants and detailed management recommendations to optimize the patient's medical ailments before surgery. This article aims to review the available evidence and discuss elements of the preoperative medical consultation that are of particular relevance to surgeons. Methods The authors performed a comprehensive review of the available medical literature and guidelines pertaining to preoperative medical management and present a narrative summary of their findings. Results Although many preoperative recommendations are based on expert opinion and consensus, a growing number of studies and clinical practice guidelines provides direction as to what is the best management of patients with medical problems before surgery. Conclusions Collaborative efforts and adequate communication between the medical and surgical teams are necessary to ensure appropriate patient management before surgery. Although higher-risk patients may require thorough preoperative evaluations, extensive routine investigations may not always be necessary.
ISSN:0002-9610
1879-1883
DOI:10.1016/j.amjsurg.2012.02.018