THE VALUE OF PREOPERATIVE INVESTIGATIONS IN LOCAL-ANESTHETIC OPHTHALMIC SURGERY

This study was performed to assess the value of routine investigations performed on ophthalmic patients undergoing local anaesthetic surgery . Patients attending the pre-operative assessment had investigations o rdered as outlined in accordance,vith the guidelines of the Joint Work ing Party on Anaesthesia in Ophthalmic Surgery. The results of investi gations were sealed in a clearly marked envelope and stapled to a prom inent position on the notes, Any envelopes found unopened at the end o f surgery were assumed to have been unseen by either the anaesthetist or surgeon, The effects on patient management were noted, Abnormal res ults were found in 102 of 314 investigations performed in 100 patients , Of the 100 envelopes 95 were unopened at the end of surgery, No pati ents had their peri-operative management changed because of the invest igations performed, An adequate pre-operative assessment with a histor y and examination is sufficient in most patients undergoing local anae sthetic ophthalmic surgery, avoiding unnecessary investigations.