Preoperative evaluation of the surgical patient.

Both the patient and the surgeon benefit from a complete and thorough preoperative evaluation. Such evaluation may permit the surgeon to identify surgical candidates at risk for problems, institute corrective measures, and thus reduce surgical complications. Time spent by the surgeon in preoperative patient education often yields increased patient confidence and enables patients to make informed decisions about their own care. The overall result is that surgical care becomes more efficient, more pleasant for the patient, and less stressful for the surgeon.