The value of routine preoperative chest X-rays.
Preoperative chest X-rays are performed routinely in many surgical units. But is the procedure of value? Do the benefits to patients justify the costs and risks? In this paper, the evidence is reviewed and the conclusion reached that routine preoperative chest X-rays should be abandoned in elective non-cardiopulmonary surgery.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D011300:Preoperative Care; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000191:economics; D012306:Risk; D006113:United Kingdom