3-01: Overview: Preoperative Evaluation & Perioperative Management

Perioperative mortality and morbidity have declined due to improvements in surgical, anesthetic, and monitoring techniques. The traditional preoperative roles of the medical consultant or primary care provider include evaluating the severity and stability of medical conditions, assessing the risk of medical complications, determining whether further preoperative risk stratification testing is indicated, and recommending measures to reduce the risk of perioperative complications. The consultant may also be asked to manage medical aspects of patients' postoperative care, including evaluation and treatment of medical complications.