Pre-anesthetic evaluation: Is it only for risk assessment?

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to report the number of patients who get wised to that they have another health problem for the first time by anesthesiologist during preoperative anesthesia visits. Material And Methods: Patients who admitted to anesthesiology clinic of Gaziantep University Faculty of Medicine for preoperative examination and who were diagnosed with a new disease by anesthesiologist as results of consultations from other departments and/or examinations were evaluated. Results: Due to changes in the ECG and chest X-rays, as a result of cardiology consultation 18 patients were diagnosed of valvular heart disease. One of these patients was diagnosed as severe AR+MR with pleural effusion. Six patients diagnosed with prior MI and CAD, 4 of these patients were undergone to the CABG surgery with emergency conditions. One patient was diagnosed with left bundle branch block because of being VES + in the ECG. Because of the changes in the PA chest x-ray, 16 patients were diagnosed with COPD and 2 patients were diagnosed with hydatid cyst. One patient was diagnosed as lung cancer and undergone thoracotomy surgery primarily. In addition, 4 patients were diagnosed with scoliosis due to spine seen in chest x-ray. According to biochemistry tests, while 2patients were diagnosed with new DM, 3 patients had the diagnosis of steatosis due to higher AST/ALT values. With the ELISA tests, 15 patients came to know that they are HBsAg + and 8 patients are HCV +. Conclusion: Preoperative visit can reveal other unknown health problems not only the patients’ risks for operations. These diagnoses are in favor for both the anesthesiologist's and surgeon not only medical but a legal case.