title: Perioperative management of patients with connective tissue disease.
abstract: Diseases of the connective tissue are a varied group of disorders with major musculoskeletal manifestations such as joint pain and loss of function. As a consequence of the accompanying inflammatory joint disease, such patients often require surgery. Due to the protean organ-related consequences of these conditions, patients who suffer from chronic connective tissue disease are a highly challenging population in the perioperative context. This paper reviews the management of such patients in this clinical setting.
authors.forename: Susan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Goodman
authors.forename: Mark P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Figgie
authors.forename: C Ronald
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Mackenzie