Perioperative Laboratory and Diagnostic TestingWhat is

Needed and When?

Tirbod Fattahi, DDS, MD, FACS
Division of Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Florida, 653-1 West 8th Street, Jacksonville, FL 32209, USA
Preoperative patient evaluation is an essential com-
ponent of any surgical practice. A complete history
and physical, along with appropriate diagnostic tests,
are performed routinely to ensure a safe and predict-
able delivery of care. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons
use this principle in everyday practice. Regardless of
type of surgery and practice (office-based dentoalveo-
lar surgery, orthognathic surgery, trauma, elective
aesthetic surgery), oral and maxillofacial surgeons
must formulate a decision-making process and a treat-
ment plan regarding the perioperative management
of patients. The anesthetic plan and the surgical plan
must be assessed preoperatively.
Preoperative evaluation of surgical patients and
the decisions regarding choosing the appropriate and
specific presurgical laboratory tests can be a daunting
task at times because often it is riddled with con-
fusion and ambiguity. The dilemma facing health-
care providers is twofold: one, there is the need to
reduce or eliminate nonindicated preoperative tests;
two, there is a responsibility to continue to order in-
dicated tests to maximize and improve patient care.
There is no doubt that there exist some limitations
regarding preoperative testing of surgery patients.
One of the first difficulties faced by clinicians is the
definition of the word, abnormal. When ordering a
test, clinicians are attempting to discriminate between
patients who have normal values and those who have
abnormal ones. This knowledge then is used to de-
termine the possibility for the existence of a patho-
logic condition, which ultimately may have an impact
on the proposed surgical and anesthetic plan. Un-
fortunately, most laboratory values are based on a
95% confidence limit; therefore, it is possible that
5% of normal patients who do have any pathologic
condition have an abnormal test result [1]. This
may lead to misinterpretation of a pathologic con-
dition. It is just as important to consider not only if
a laboratory value is abnormal but also if an abnor-
mal value may affect the perioperative care of pa-
tients or is able to predict a complication [2]. It is
estimated that only 0.22% of all abnormal pre-
operative tests done before elective surgery could
influence the perioperative management of the sur-
gical patients [3].
It is estimated that the health care industry spends
20 to 30 billion dollars annually on preoperative
laboratory testing in this country [4]. This is an
enormous expense considering the volume of scien-
tifically based studies refuting the benefits of routine
preoperative laboratory work. A 1-year study of out-
patient surgical patients at a teaching hospital reveals
the potential of more than $400,000 in cost reduc-
tion if preoperative laboratory tests had been ordered
properly [2].
A PubMed search for preoperative laboratory
testing reveals more than 200 articles. A quick
review of these articles demonstrates a paucity of
scientific evidence to validate the benefits of a ran-
dom, preoperative testing paradigm. The American
Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Task Force on
Preanesthesia Evaluation released its report in Febru-
ary of 2002 [5]. The task force was unable to issue true
practice standards or guidelines based on strict
evidence-based information because of a lack of an
adequate number of controlled scientific studies.
Instead, a practice advisory report was formulated
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Oral Maxillofacial Surg Clin N Am 18 (2006) 1 6
based on noncontrolled studies, opinions of consul-
tants, and a sample of common practices [6].
Unfortunately, this advisory report not always is
enforced or used at every medical center or practice.
Pasternak aptly states, . . . in the past, there existed an
assumption that all elective surgical procedures must
be preceded by a series of comprehensive tests,
regardless of the patients age, health status, or
planned procedures. The traditional system of the
protocol battery of tests evolved from a lack of clear
definition of their role in preoperative screening,
insufficient information on their utility, and a mis-
taken belief that voluminous information, no matter
how extraneous, enhanced the safety of care and
reduced physician liability for adverse events [7].
The object of laboratory testing should be to assist in
the decision-making process when planning surgical
or anesthetic intervention; laboratory testing is a
complement, not a substitute for, a good, accurate
history and physical.
It also is imperative to note that although there are
medical practices based on personal preference and
anecdotal experience, there still are many irrefutable
studies supporting proper preoperative evaluation for
elective surgery [810]. One large study documents
at least one complication in 17% of all surgical
patients [9]. This and other studies demonstrate an
overall increased risk for surgical morbidity and
mortality associated with advanced age; therefore,
appropriate preoperative tests are recommended
based solely on the age of patients [9,10].
The purpose of this article is to provide a com-
prehensive review of the current literature regard-
ing appropriate preoperative assessment of patients
undergoing oral and maxillofacial surgery. Unfortu-
nately, because of contradictory data, lack of random-
ized studies, and absence of a consistent system for
risk assessment, the recommendations listed in this
article are suggested screening tools based on specific
clinical conditions. At attempt is made to include as
many of the routine and useful preoperative tests as
possible. Clinicians also are advised to become fa-
miliar with trends and policies of affiliated medical
institutions and surgical centers, because slight varia-
tions may exist. The majority of policies regarding
preoperative assessment of surgical patients are deter-
mined by the department of anesthesiology in most
medical centers.
Recommended guidelines
Familiarity with the ASA patient classification is
critical when performing a preoperative patient
assessment (Table 1). The ASA classification is a
universally accepted, overall impression of surgical
patients who are to undergo an anesthetic procedure.
Preoperative risk stratification also can include a
surgical classification system (Table 2) [4]. This
classification is especially useful for healthy patients
undergoing a surgical procedure, because risk assess-
ment is determined solely by the nature of the
procedure rather than the ASA classification. Regard-
less of the classification system used, a complete
history and physical is the most important parameter
for patient assessment during the preoperative period.
Preoperative testing should be ordered only for those
conditions that may have an impact on the periopera-
tive management of patients, including [4]

Medical status of patients (ASA classification or

presence of a specific condition based on patient
history and physical)

Nature of the surgical procedure (surgical

classification system)

Nature of the anesthetic technique

Patient inclusion in a high-risk group based on

epidemiology (eg, ECG for age 40)

Baseline determination requirements because of

likely changes resulting from the surgery or
postoperative interventions
Testing without specific indications is shown to be
neither of clinical benefit nor cost effective [2,1118].
Furthermore, such action may increase patient dis-
comfort and augment the potential adverse effects
of further assessment of clinically unimportant, yet
ordered and documented, laboratory abnormalities.
After reviewing the current literature, certain
conclusions can be derived regarding choosing
appropriate preoperative laboratory tests. Figs. 1
Table 1
American Society of Anesthesiologists Patient Classification
ASA Class I Healthy patients
ASA Class II Patients who have mild systemic disease
ASA Class III Patients who have severe systemic disease
that limits activity but is not incapacitating
ASA Class IV Patients who have an incapacitating
systemic disease that is a constant threat
to life
ASA Class V Moribund patients not expected to survive
24 hours with or without an operation
Note: if a surgical procedure is performed emergently, an
E is added to the previously defined ASA classification.
fattahi 2
and 2 and Tables 3 and 4 list current recom-
mendations regarding appropriate preoperative pa-
tient assessment.
Several comments need to be made regarding the
current recommendations. First and foremost, clini-
cians must realize that the recommendations are
suggestions; as stated previously, there is no stan-
dardized testing paradigm. Other testing methods, in
addition to the current recommendations, may be
warranted based on patient clinical condition or other
concomitant diseases.
Although age alone should not be an indication
for preoperative tests, most healthy patients of
advanced age are at increased risk for periopera-
tive complications [9,10,19]. Specific criteria, there-
fore, are established to address this issue (see Table 4).
It is imperative to remember that age-specific re-
Surgical Patient--
History & Physical
Completed
Healthy Patient
Age < 40
Healthy Patient
Age 40
Male Patients
< 40 years
Male Patients
Age 40
GO TO TABLE 4
GO TO TABLE 4
Female Patients
Pregnancy Test (Urine
Human Chorionic
GonadotrophinHCG--)
indicated only by patient
history
Specific findings
discovered during
history and physical
Go to Figure 2 and/or
Table 3
Fig. 1. Universal algorithm for preoperative testing.
Table 2
Surgical classification system
Category 1 Minimal risk to patients independent of
anesthesia
Minimally invasive procedures with little or
no blood loss
Often done in an office setting
Category 2 Minimal to moderately invasive procedure
Blood loss less than 500 mL
Mild risk to patients independent of anesthesia
Category 3 Moderately to significantly invasive procedure
Blood loss potential 5001500 mL
Moderate risk to patients independent of
anesthesia
Category 4 Highly invasive procedure
Blood loss greater than 1500 mL
Major risk to patients independent of
anesthesia
perioperative laboratory and diagnostic testing 3
quirements are independent of other patient fac-
tors, such as ASA classification or nature of the
planned surgical procedure. For example, a healthy
45-year-old patient undergoing an elective outpatient
surgical procedure may not require as many preop-
erative tests as a 45-year-old patient who has a
significant cardiovascular history and is undergoing
the same operation.
Preoperative assessment of pediatric patients also
has been evaluated. As for adult patients, many
practitioners continue the practice of ordering non-
indicated tests for pediatric patients. Studies show no
clinical benefit of routine preoperative laboratory
testing in children undergoing outpatient or non-
invasive surgical procedures [20,21].
Preoperative assessment of female patients of
childbearing age also is of interest. One of every
10 women between 15 and 19 years of age becomes
pregnant each year in the United States and more than
95% of these pregnancies are unplanned [22]. It is
conceivable, therefore, that some of these patients
may present for elective surgical procedures.
Although there are few data regarding the teratogenic
effects of anesthetics on the developing fetus, there is
a significant risk of spontaneous abortion, intrauterine
growth retardation, and prematurity if a pregnant
female is anesthetized during the first trimester.
Based on these facts, a recent national survey reveals
that 27% of all practitioners routinely order a urine
pregnancy test in adolescent patients before surgery
[22]. There are a number of multicenter studies
indicating, however, that the potential for an unrecog-
nized pregnancy, following a detailed history and
physical with specific questions regarding the last
NO PRE-OPERATIVE
LABS/TESTS
INDICATED
Category 1 Surgery
Category 2 Surgery

Complete Blood count

Chemistry-7
Surgical Patient
ASA Classification
Determined
ASA I ASA II or Greater
Regardless of
Surgical Category
Go to Table 3
Category 3 or 4 Surgery

Complete Blood count

Chemistry-7

PT/PTT

Chest X-ray

12 lead
Electrocardiogram
Fig. 2. Indications for routine preoperative laboratory testing based on patient ASA and surgical classification system
(independent of patient age).
fattahi 4
menstrual cycle, is less that 0.5% [2224]. Routine
preoperative urine human chorionic gonadotrophin
testing in the female adolescent surgical population,
therefore, may not be necessary.
Summary
There is no doubt that clinicians are faced with
conflicting data when deciding on the appropriate
preoperative tests for surgical patients. As discussed
previously, the ASA, one of the major regulating
bodies involved in the perioperative care of surgical
patients, is unable to issue standardized testing
protocols for patient assessment. This only highlights
the dysfunctional and costly current practice of
ordering a battery of tests before surgery for every
surgical patient, regardless of age, ASA status, or
findings on history and physical examination. There
is no substitute for a properly performed and detailed
history and physical examination. Data suggests that
most clinically relevant conditions are recognized
during the history and physical examination without
the need for further laboratory testing [2527].
Review of the current literature cited in this article
confirms this finding. Most ASA I patients under-
Table 3
Indications for commonly ordered preoperative laboratory
tests based on specific findings during history and physical
examination (independent of patient age, American Society
of Anesthesiologists classification, or surgical procedure)
Test Indications
Complete blood
count
Recent infection
Immune compromised states
(ie, HIV)
History of cancer
Chemotherapy or radiation treatment
Fever
Corticosteroid use
Anticoagulation medications
Hemoglobin History of anemia
Anticipated high blood loss
Malignancy
History of gastrointestinal bleed
Platelet count Bleeding history
Thrombopathy
Splenectomy
Liver disease
Autoimmune disease
Chemistry-7 Malnutrition/dehydration
Corticosteroid use
Diuretic use
Digitalis use
Renal failure
Diabetes
Infection
Blood glucose Steroid therapy
Diabetes
Pancreatic disease
Adrenal disease
Pituitary disease
Prothrombin
time/partial
thromboplastin
time, bleeding
time
Bleeding disorders
Coagulopathy
Jaundice
Chronic renal failure
Alcoholism
Anticoagulation medications
Liver disease
History of stroke
Evidence of purpura or petechiae
Liver function
tests
Malnutrition
Liver disease/hepatitis/jaundice
Pancreatic disease
History of cancer
Alcoholism
Hepatomegally
Urinalysis/urine
pregnancy test
Dysuria
Pregnancy
Chest radiograph Cardiovascular disease
Lung disease (obstructive and
restrictive airways diseases, shortness
of breath)
Upper respiratory infections
Chronic smoking
Table 3 (continued)
Test Indications
12-lead ECG History of cardiac disease
Chest pains
Lung disease
Morbid obesity
History of stroke
Echocardiogram Recent myocardial infarction
Congestive heart failure
Abnormal ECG
Unstable angina
Significant arrhythmia
Severe valvular disease
Table 4
Indications for routine preoperative laboratory testing based
on patient age only
Age Indicated tests
Healthy patient
under age 40
No routine preoperative tests
indicated unless major blood
loss or major hemodynamic
changes anticipated
Healthy patient
age 40 or older
Complete blood count
12-lead ECG
Chest radiograph
perioperative laboratory and diagnostic testing 5
going an elective, outpatient procedure in an oral and
maxillofacial surgery office do not need any preop-
erative testing based on current clinical data and
suggestions. It is warranted, however, to restate that
specific laboratory testing is indicated based on key
findings during a history and physical examination.
The tables cited in this article are guidelines based on
current literature; variations from the suggesting
testing protocol may be warranted based on patients
surgical condition or other concomitant diseases.
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