title: Preoperative evaluation of the gynecologic patient: considerations for improved outcomes.
abstract: The preoperative evaluation serves several purposes for the gynecologist. Patients with previously undiagnosed, or incompletely managed, medical concerns are identified and appropriate treatment initiated. In women with known medical concerns, the surgeon can anticipate problems and plan for appropriate postoperative care. In certain cases, the preoperative evaluation identifies medical conditions that are unstable enough to adversely affect the postoperative outcome, and appropriate referral for medical management can be made. One of the most important aspects of the evaluation is the identification of women at high risk for cardiovascular complications. A stepwise approach is useful to identify those women who may proceed to surgery and those who need further testing. Much of the preoperative evaluation of the woman with pulmonary disease can be done during the history and physical examination without additional testing. Deep venous thrombosis is a significant concern in gynecologic surgery; appropriate identification of the woman at risk is important, with initiation of prophylaxis occurring shortly after the surgery concludes. Many women undergoing gynecologic surgery have diabetes. Careful management of diabetes in the perioperative period has become more germane, with evidence of improved outcomes as tight control is achieved. Much of the preoperative evaluation falls easily into the purview of the gynecologist, with advice presented as to when medical consultation should be considered.
authors.affiliation: Division of General Internal Medicine, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina 27858, USA. johnsonbru@ecu.edu
authors.forename: Bruce E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Joann
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Porter
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007332:Insulin Infusion Systems; D008487:Medical History Taking; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin