[Guidelines for the routine assessment of respiratory surgical risk: thoracic radiography].
Through the three years between June 1995 and June 1998 the authors applied an evaluation schedule for the respiratory surgical risk to all the patients undergoing general surgery. Chest X-ray was included in this schedule as a first-level test and it was performed systematically on all the patients. The purpose of the study was to verify the effectiveness of chest X-ray as a routine examination of the respiratory performance, evaluating its predictive value on 1715 cases. The routine employment of this preoperative test on patients resulting risk-free at an accurate clinical anamnestic examination doesn't seem to be justified, basing on the preliminary results achieved. Therefore, chest X-ray should be considered a second-level test, to be performed on the basis of a precise clinical query only. This way a significant health-care cost reduction could be achieved, without affecting the quality of patient's management.
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Istituto IV Clinica Chirurgica, Università degli Studi La Sapienza, Roma.
Antonaci
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Carnuccio
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Carnuccio
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Errera
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Di Paola
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D000328:Adult; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine; D005260:Female; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000009:adverse effects