Criteria for the request of preoperative tests among oral and maxillofacial surgeons.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to analyze the criteria employed for the requesting of preoperative tests among maxillofacial surgeons.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty maxillofacial surgeons working in Aracaju (Brazil) received a questionnaire to fill out. The study inquired about the practice of requesting preoperative tests for healthy patients scheduled to undergo elective surgery.

RESULTS

Most of the surgeons interviewed requested tests that are not recommended for the case in question. The highest frequency of requests was a complete blood count, coagulation test, blood glucose test and chest radiograph.

CONCLUSION

The absence of strict rules for the requesting of preoperative tests causes uncertainty and a lack of criteria regarding pre-surgical conduct. It was not possible to clearly define the criteria used by surgeons for requesting such tests, as the clinical characteristics of the hypothetical case presented suggest a smaller number of tests.