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Oncogeriatrics (part 6.). The usefulness of routine preoperative investigations in the qualification of an older patient for elective surgery
Affiliations- Department of General, Oncological and Geriatric Surgery, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Branch in Krakow, Poland
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Abstract
Medical history, physical examination and a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment remain the most important elements in preparing an older patient for surgery, to determine the number of preoperative additional tests, and remain the strongest predictors of postoperative outcome. The additional 40-60 minutes devoted to its implementation at the time of qualification for surgery, is well worth the chance to significantly reduce the risk of complications in the postoperative period. The patient’s chronological age alone is not a criterion for the type and number of additional tests. Routine biochemical blood serum tests (with the exceptions of haemoglobin, creatinine, albumin and HbA1c in diabetic patients) and other preoperative static investigations have not been shown to affect the risk of postoperative complications, no more so in the older population. It is also misleading to believe that a large number of preoperative tests will protect the attending physician from legal liability.
Abstract
Medical history, physical examination and a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment remain the most important elements in preparing an older patient for surgery, to determine the number of preoperative additional tests, and remain the strongest predictors of postoperative outcome. The additional 40-60 minutes devoted to its implementation at the time of qualification for surgery, is well worth the chance to significantly reduce the risk of complications in the postoperative period. The patient’s chronological age alone is not a criterion for the type and number of additional tests. Routine biochemical blood serum tests (with the exceptions of haemoglobin, creatinine, albumin and HbA1c in diabetic patients) and other preoperative static investigations have not been shown to affect the risk of postoperative complications, no more so in the older population. It is also misleading to believe that a large number of preoperative tests will protect the attending physician from legal liability.
Keywords
older patient; preoperative investigations; elective surgery; elderly
About this articleTitle
Oncogeriatrics (part 6.). The usefulness of routine preoperative investigations in the qualification of an older patient for elective surgery
Journal
Nowotwory. Journal of Oncology
Issue
Article type
Review paper
Pages
101-104
Published online
2020-06-16
Page views
839
Article views/downloads
550
DOI
Bibliographic record
Nowotwory. Journal of Oncology 2020;70(3):101-104.
Keywords
older patient
preoperative investigations
elective surgery
elderly
Authors
Jakub Kenig
Jerzy Mituś
Kamil Rapacz
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