title: [Once again, the routine preoperative thorax photo].
abstract: A prospective study of the influence of radiological findings upon operation policy was carried out in 810 patients over 40 years of age who underwent elective non cardiopulmonary surgery. Only in 5 patients did it appear that a preoperative X-ray yielded any relevant extra information, and only in 3 cases was the operation planning influenced. If no preoperative chest X-rays has been taken, all except one of the significant abnormalities would have been discovered anyway. By differentiating between patients graded ASA 1 and those classed ASA 2 or higher, it would be possible to reduce the number of preoperative chest X-rays by 41% without any loss of precision. Preoperative chest X-rays in patients over 40 years of age scheduled for non-cardiopulmonary surgery can be restricted to those whose history requires further radiological analysis.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Lamers
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: van Engelshoven
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pfaff
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic
vernacular_title: Nogmaals, de routinematige preoperatieve thoraxfoto.