Key result
Preoperative evaluation relying primarily on history and physical examination is recommended to determine the risk of postoperative pulmonary complications, which occur in 5% to 75% of surgical cases.
Preoperative evaluation for postoperative pulmonary complications should primarily rely on history and physical examination, with testing reserved for a select subgroup.
Prioritizes history and physical for postoperative pulmonary complication risk; leaves open optimal testing thresholds in unselected patients.
T HE REPORTED incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC) varies from 5% to 75% of surgical cases, depending on both the definition of PPC used and the patients' risk factors for PPC. The anesthesiologist as a perioperative medicine specialist should be able to evaluate patients, determine risk for PPC, and plan treatments to prevent these complications. The primary source of information for this preoperative evaluation should be the history and physical examination; tests are needed to confirm the diagnosis or plan for perioperative management only in a select (and fairly small) subgroup of patients.
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Lustik et al. (1996) conducted a review in Postoperative pulmonary complications. Preoperative evaluation (history and physical examination) was evaluated. Preoperative evaluation relying primarily on history and physical examination is recommended to determine the risk of postoperative pulmonary complications, which occur in 5% to 75% of surgical cases.
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