SIGNIFICANCE AND COST EFFECTIVENESS OF PRE-OPERATIVE ROUTINE LABORATORY INVESTIGATIONS IN YOUNG HEALTHY PATIENTS UNDERGOING ELECTIVE EAR, NOSE & THROAT SURGERY

Authors

  • Shahid Ali Shah
  • Tahira Sajid
  • Mohammad Asif
  • Farida Khan
  • Rehman Ghani

Abstract

Background: Pre-operative preparation is an important component of surgical workup. Adequate
clinical assessment to determine fitness for anaesthesia and surgery and to outrule possibilities of
existing disease or risk factors against the procedure would suffice in elective surgery on healthy
young patients. Still routine investigations are carried out following a protocol, that does not offer
added benefit and is not cost effective. Method: We evaluated one hundred and fifty young
healthy patients planned for elective surgery, to compare adequate clinical assessment with results
of routine investigations in such patients, in terms of significance and cost effectiveness. Results:
Significant co-relation was demonstrated between clinical assessment and routine investigations.
Only 03 abnormal results were reported following 600 laboratory investigations on 150 patients.
Conclusion: Thorough clinical assessment is mandatory for successful outcome of surgery. There
is significant co-relation with routine investigations in elective Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) surgery.
Investigations should be restricted to where indicated by clinical assessment. Such policy will
significantly reduce the costs and workload, thereby improving quality of health care system.
Key words: Pre-operative preparation; History; Physical examination; Routine investigations;
Cost effective

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How to Cite

Shah, S. A., Sajid, T., Asif, M., Khan, F., & Ghani, R. (2007). SIGNIFICANCE AND COST EFFECTIVENESS OF PRE-OPERATIVE ROUTINE LABORATORY INVESTIGATIONS IN YOUNG HEALTHY PATIENTS UNDERGOING ELECTIVE EAR, NOSE & THROAT SURGERY. Journal of Ayub Medical College Abbottabad, 19(2), 3–9. Retrieved from https://www.jamc.ayubmed.edu.pk/jamc/index.php/jamc/article/view/5001