Preoperative medical evaluation in patients having joint replacement surgery: added benefits.

Elderly patients having elective total joint replacement surgery are at increased perioperative risk because of comorbid conditions. To show the importance of the preoperative medical evaluation for total joint replacement, we reviewed the records of 238 patients who had screening for total joint replacement surgery in 1994. Of these 238 patients, 76 (32%) benefited from findings on the preoperative medical evaluation. Four percent of these patients were found to have a condition that warranted the postponement or cancellation of surgery, and others were found to have a condition that was immediately treatable. Some patients required referral to their primary care provider or to a specialist. This study emphasizes the importance and added benefits of the preoperative medical evaluation for elderly patients having elective total joint replacement surgery.