[Usefulness of clinical examination in detecting infectious foci prior to cardiac surgery].
BACKGROUND
In many institutions patients are evaluated to rule out an infectious focus in the ENT sphere prior to cardiac surgery. In a prospective clinical study we assessed the contribution of history and clinical examination in the detection of ENT infections.


METHODS
From October 1998 to January 2000, 68 patients were evaluated by self-administered questionnaire and an ENT examination. Dental status was evaluated separately by a dentist.


RESULTS
The patient population was divided into two groups: The first group consisted of 23 patients (33.8%) with at least one ENT symptom: in 22 the examination was normal and one patient had viral pharyngitis. 5 patients in this group presented a postoperative infectious complication. The second group comprised 45 patients (66.2%) without a history suggestive of a possible infectious focus: in 44 the examination was normal and one patient presented otitis media with effusion. 2 patients in this group had a postoperative infectious complication.


CONCLUSIONS
Routine ENT examination is not necessary prior to cardiac surgery. The patient history can be used to select patients for further evaluation.
Lardon
N
N
Clinique et Policlinique d'oto-rhino-laryngologie et de chirurgie cervico-faciale, HUG Genève.
Quinodoz
D
D
Kalangos
A
A
Dulguerov
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010038:Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires