Pre-operative exams

Why is a pre-surgical check-up necessary?

Before any surgical move and prior to any act of anesthesia, you are asked to carry out a pre-surgical check-up. This check-up assures you of a maximum security after the medical acts that we are led to undertake. This check-up will allow, for example, guiding the steps of the anesthetist or identifying anomalies that must be reckoned with during an endoscopy or a surgical operation.

These anomalies may not be so obvious and do not cause any inconvenience in everyday life. Even if you feel in good health, this check-up is necessary to give you assurance of your safety following an operation.

Who prescribes the pre-surgical check-up?

It is the anesthetist doctor who would decide about the tests to be taken:

These depend on:

• Your age,
• The illnesses you may have or simply even illnesses you may have had,
• The medication you are on,

• And the nature of the operation you intend to take.

You will be advised on the drugs you take by indicating the treatments to be continued and the treatments you must imperatively stop.

In certain cases, the pre-surgical consultation about anesthesia will be enough and no other tests or examinations are required.

What does the pre-surgical check-up include?

Generally speaking, the classical pre-surgical check-up that we require include:

For all kinds of operations:

• A biological check-up (group, NFS, Plates, TP, TCK) less and less.
• A virological check-up: HIV, Hepathetis B and C not more than 3 months old.
• A cardiological check-up including a cardiovascular examination with ECG for patients over 45 years of age.
• A pulmonary check-up if your tobacco consumption is important or if you suffer from a chronic breathing trouble.
• For those who suffer from a long-term illness (diabetes, high blood pressure …) we need a recent check-up of your illness.

For breast surgery:

In addition to all tests cited earlier, a recent mammography is needed.

TAll the cited tests are pain-free and without any risks. These are tests often required on a current basis. This list is far from being exhaustive. There is nothing like a standard check-up but rather a check-up suited to the needs of every patient and every medical situation.

A word of warning: These tests are valid for a short period of time. Even if you did undergo a recent check-up, you may still be required to take part or all of the tests for a second surgical operation.