Most preoperative laboratory tests (typically a complete blood count, prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time, basic metabolic panel and urinalysis) performed on elective surgical patients are normal. Findings influence management in under 3% of patients tested. In almost all cases, no adverse outcomes are observed when clinically stable patients undergo elective surgery, irrespective of whether an abnormal test is identified. Preoperative laboratory testing is appropriate in symptomatic patients and those with risks factors for which diagnostic testing can provide clarification of patient surgical risk.
Conditions: Low Risk Elective Surgery
Diagnostic Tests: Preoperative Preop Diagnostic Tests, Complete Blood Count (CBC), Prothrombin Time. (PT), Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT), Basic Metabolic Panel, Urinalysis (UA)
View PDF
Sources
- Capdenat Saint-Martin E, Michel P, Raymond JM, et al. Description of local adaptation of national guidelines and of active feedback for rationalising preoperative screening in patients at low risk from anaesthetics in a French university hospital. Qual. Health Care. Mar 1998;7(1):5-11. (PubMed)
- Katz RI, Dexter F, Rosenfeld K, et al. Survey study of anesthesiologists' and surgeons' ordering of unnecessary preoperative laboratory tests. Anesth. Analg. Jan 2011;112(1):207-212. (PubMed)
- Keay L, Lindsley K, Tielsch J, Katz J, Schein O. Routine preoperative medical testing for cataract surgery. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;3:Cd007293. (PubMed)
- Munro J, Booth A, Nicholl J. Routine preoperative testing: a systematic review of the evidence. Health Technol. Assess. 1997;1(12):i-iv; 1-62. (PubMed)
- Reynolds TM. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines on preoperative tests: the use of routine preoperative tests for elective surgery. Ann. Clin. Biochem. Jan 2006;43(Pt 1):13-16. (PubMed)