Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 7, 2026
06:11
Laparoscopic Anatomical Resection of the Right Anterior Lobe Based on the Laennec Capsule Technique
Published on: May 2, 2025
Routine preoperative blood testing in pediatric neurosurgery
Fajer Almesbah1, Tafadzwa Mandiwanza, Chandrasekaran Kaliaperumal
1Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland; and.
Journal of Neurosurgery. Pediatrics
|October 8, 2013
Summary
Routine preoperative blood tests in children rarely predict complications and incur significant costs. Selective testing based on clinical need is recommended to reduce financial burden and patient distress.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Clinical Pathology
- Healthcare Economics
Background:
- Routine preoperative blood tests are frequently ordered for pediatric surgical patients.
- The clinical utility and cost-effectiveness of these tests are often questioned.
- Unnecessary testing can lead to increased patient anxiety and healthcare expenditure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of routine preoperative blood testing on patient management in pediatric neurosurgery.
- To assess the financial costs associated with routine preoperative blood tests.
- To determine the predictive value of routine preoperative blood tests for perioperative complications.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records and laboratory data for 355 children undergoing elective neurosurgery over 5 years.
- Exclusion of patients undergoing procedures with local anesthesia or imaging only.
- Recording of preoperative and prior blood test results, noting any abnormalities.
Main Results:
- 3489 blood tests were performed on 328 patients (94.6%).
- 29 abnormalities (9%) were detected, mostly near reference ranges and not affecting procedures.
- Only one procedure cancellation (0.28%) occurred due to a false-positive partial thromboplastin time result. The cost ranged from 5205-10,410 euros.
Conclusions:
- Routine preoperative blood testing in pediatric neurosurgery has a low yield for predicting complications.
- Selective testing guided by clinical indications is more cost-effective and efficient.
- Minimizing unnecessary tests reduces financial costs and patient distress.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Kidney Transplant II: Surgical Procedure
Preoperative ManagementThe primary goals of preoperative management in kidney transplantation are to optimize the patient’s metabolic state and prepare them for surgery through diet adjustments, necessary dialysis, and tailored medical treatment. This phase also involves comprehensive infection screening and patient education about the surgical procedure and postoperative care to improve outcomes and adherence.Medical ManagementA comprehensive evaluation is required for both the living donor...
01:28Cardiomyopathy VII: Pre and Post Operative Nursing Management
Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction who remain symptomatic despite optimal medical therapy may undergo a septal myectomy (Morrow procedure). This procedure involves excising a portion of the hypertrophied septum below the aortic valve using a heart-lung machine to improve blood flow through the LVOT. Effective preoperative and postoperative nursing management ensures successful patient outcomes, minimizes complications, and...
01:10Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Assessing Blood Pressure
Accurate blood pressure assessment is crucial for diagnosing and managing various health conditions. To ensure the reliability of these measurements, healthcare professionals must adhere to standardized pre-procedural guidelines. These guidelines enhance patient safety and improve the overall quality of healthcare. The following steps are essential for obtaining accurate and consistent blood pressure readings, from using the appropriate tools to ensuring effective communication with the patient.