Surgery Pre-Op in Las Vegas

What is Surgery Pre-Op?

Surgery Pre-Op or pre-operative assessment is evaluating a patient who needs surgery at the hospital. The test determines whether he/she has problems that need to be treated before, during, or after the operation. The evaluation can determine complications during the anesthetic, surgical, or postoperative period as well.

What does the Surgery Pre-Op show?

The Surgery Pre-Op determines:

• Stop eating a particular type of food.
• Prevent taking the medicines you use currently.
• The items you need to bring to the hospital.
• If you need to stay in hospital overnight and for how long.
• You need someone to accompany you after the surgery
• Postpone or bring forward the operation

The type of Surgery Pre-Op depends on the operation and the anesthetic you will have at the surgery. The tests could include:

• Blood tests
• Urine tests
• Pregnancy test for women

Surgery Pre-Op might happen 1-2 days before the operation. In some cases, you might have to take it 1-2 weeks before the surgery. It’s up to your conditions and the type of surgery you will have.

 

What questions will be asked at a Pre-Op test?

The questions include your medical history and lifestyle. They are to detect the possible problem during or after surgery. For instance:

• Overall health
• Health conditions
• The surgery type
• Surgery history
• Used medicine
• Family disease history
• Alcohol or drug intake
• Exercise tolerance

 

What tests are included in the Pre-Op test?

The type of Surgery Pre-Op depends on the operation and the anesthetic you will have at the surgery. The tests could include:

• Blood tests
• Urine tests
• Pregnancy test for women
• ECG (Electrocardiogram)

Depending on your condition, the health care might ask you to take some additional tests, including:

• Glucose test
• Potassium test
• Coagulation tests (PT/PTT)
• Lung function test
• Colonoscopy/ Endoscopy
• MRI scan/ CT scan
• Ultrasound test

 

Do low-risk surgeries need a Pre-Op beforehand?

These routine tests may change the surgeon’s decision to operate or alter the surgery scheme. However, it rarely occurs.

The tests may be redundant before low-risk surgery, for instance:

• Eye surgery
• Skin surgery
• Hernia repair surgery
• Breast biopsy

In these surgeries, the risk of complications is shallow. However, even major surgery is safe for healthy people who are slightly active without symptoms. Therefore, the medical history and physical exam are of high importance.

 

Tests may terminate in more tests

Medical tests sometimes lead to “false positive” results. If you do not have any symptoms, it’s even more likely, for instance, in a routine Pre-Op test. False-positive results can cause you to stress until you have to do even more tests to see a problem.

Namely, a blood test may require a repeat test, a biopsy, an ultrasound, or a radiation test, like an X-ray or CT scan.

These tests can be risky or even needlessly delay your surgery.

 

Some tests can be risky

A chest X-ray is operated by radiation. Radiation exposure may increase the risk, so it is best to avoid it when you can.

While most tests are done safely, false alarms may lead to more risky tests that can include:

• Bleeding
• Radiation
• Allergic reactions
• Cardiac catheterization (coronary angiography)

 

What types of surgery Pre-Op is suitable for people with risky conditions?

Generally, if the surgery you are going to take is less risky and you are in a stable, healthy state, you won’t need surgery pre-op.

For example, in cataract surgery, the risk of bleeding and heart problems is highly improbable. Consequently, the American Academy of Ophthalmology does not recommend preoperative EKGs for this type of surgery and all Pre-Op tests for cataract removal for healthy people.

As declared by the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Society of Clinical Pathology, blood and urine tests should be done only in specific instances.

AAFP states a Pre-Op urine test is only for people who have invasive urological surgery or have a device, like a heart valve, implanted.

Suppose you have pre-existing medical conditions like heart disease or diabetes, or you’re getting old. In that case, you’re most likely to do preoperative testing before the surgery.

As affirmed by the American College of Surgeons, most people don’t need a chest X-ray before an ambulatory surgery; otherwise, they have signs of acute heart or lung problems, or are 70 or older and have chronic heart/lung disease.

A complete blood count is only done for people who are 65 or older or have (or are suspected of having) anemia and need to undergo significant surgeries.

 

Surgery Pre-Op near me

Southern Nevada Occupational Health Center (SNOHC) provides Surgery Pre-Op in Las Vegas. SNOHC offers a wide range of occupational health and safety services, COVID-19 tests, and vaccination for 15+ years in Las Vegas.

Call us at (702) 874-4769 for further information. To make an appointment, you can fill the form on the right side out.