Preoperative Assessment of Colorectal Patients

Abstract

A thorough and detailed preoperative patient assessment is the first, and can be the most critical, step in the treatment of a colorectal surgery patient. A comprehensive understanding of the patient’s presentation and medical history can reveal cardiac, pulmonary, and renal system disorders that can impact recovery from major abdominal surgery. Many classes of medications need to be managed carefully in the perioperative period, due to potential impact on wound healing, bleeding, and recovery while balancing their medical necessity. This chapter focuses on the preoperative patient evaluation while highlighting the impact of preoperative assessment and preparation on postoperative outcomes.