Preoperative study

The preoperative study refers to the set of tests prior to any intervention or test that requires anesthesia to ensure maximum patient safety before and during the procedure. Through these tests, the surgeon and the anesthesiologist can find out the current state of health of the patient, assess whether there is any risk factor that could cause complications during the intervention and how the individual’s reaction to anesthesia will be.

Preoperative Study

What does it consist of?

The preoperative process is usually mandatory, especially in operations or tests that require anesthesia. It begins with an interrogation to learn the patient’s medical history and a physical evaluation. The doctor then determines which tests are most relevant. The purpose of the tests performed on the patient in the preoperative period is to determine how the patient will react to anesthesia and to surgery in general.

Common tests include:

Chest X-ray. This test is performed, in addition to finding out if there are signs of infection, to check that the trachea is well aligned.
Blood and urine tests. This test is done to check for signs of infection, as this could lead to unwanted infections leading to major complications.
Electrocardiogram. This test will allow the specialist and the anesthesiologist to know the cardiovascular health of the patient.