Preoperative assessment

Abstract

The respiratory physician may be asked to assess a patient prior to elective or emergency surgery. These patients are usually those with pre-existing respiratory disease such as COPD. Patients are now often also referred to respiratory units following positive screening for OSA. The usual functional status of the patient should be determined. Their respiratory function should be optimized, if possible, with medication changes where appropriate. In those with confirmed OSA pre-operative CPAP should be considered. These patients may require ventilatory support post-operatively. Ultimately, the decisions regarding fitness for surgery rest with the surgeon and the anaesthetist.