Conducting baseline laboratory investigations before low-risk non-cardiac surgery contributes little value to perioperative care. A focused clinical history and physical examination may reliably identify relevant abnormalities sought by routine laboratory testing before low-risk surgery. In addition, evidence suggests that abnormal results in this setting only rarely influence management and do not improve clinical outcomes. Preoperative testing may add value in the setting of a symptomatic patient or higher-risk surgery, but should not be performed routinely before low-risk surgery on asymptomatic patients.

Conditions: low-risk non-cardiac surgery, asymptomatic patients

Diagnostic Tests: baseline laboratory studies, complete blood count (CBC), coagulation testing (PT, PTT, INR), serum biochemistry (SMAC, lytes, renal function)

Sources

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