What is the main goal of preoperative assessment in surgery?

The main goal of preoperative assessment in surgery is to determine the patient's fitness for surgery. This assessment evaluates various factors, including the patient's medical history, current health status, laboratory results, and any potential risks associated with the surgical procedure. By thoroughly assessing these elements, the surgical team can identify contraindications, optimize the patient's condition, and implement strategies to mitigate risks.

This process is crucial for ensuring patient safety and improving surgical outcomes. It allows for the planning of necessary interventions that may be required before, during, and after the procedure to ensure the patient can tolerate surgery and recover effectively.

While compiling a comprehensive surgical history, designing a postoperative care plan, and selecting surgical instruments are important aspects of the surgical process, they serve to support or follow from the primary goal of assessing the patient's readiness for surgery.