Usefulness of Routine Preoperative Investigations in Patients Undergoing Uncomplicated Elective General Surgical Procedures

Abstract

Background: Investigations are classified as routine and specific. Specific investigations are done to confirm or exclude a strongly suspected diagnosis, and routine investigations are done to find occult disease not detected during clinical evaluation. Mostly, these are done as an institutional policy or custom and for medicolegal reasons in the event of any complications. The value of these routine investigations in all patients is controversial. Data suggest that these have little influence on patient management and perioperative complications. Aims and Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of routine preoperative investigations in patients undergoing elective surgical procedures and their influence on perioperative management. Materials and Methods: We included various laboratory, radiological, and hematological investigations which were performed routinely in all patients irrespective of diagnosis. Results: A total of 1671 investigations were performed in 170 patients. Only 153 (9.2%) investigations were found to be abnormal. Complete blood picture was performed in 168 (98.2%) patients; random blood sugar estimation was done in 147 (86.4%) patients. Chest X-rays were performed in 166 (97.6%) patients. Electrocardiography was performed in 160 (94.2%) patients. The percentage of overall abnormal results was very low. None of these abnormal investigations influenced surgical management and had adverse perioperative complications. Conclusion: Preoperative investigations should be done based on clinical examination and comorbid conditions. Routine preoperative investigations do not influence patient management and predict complications and should not be done in all patients.