[Laboratory findings for the preoperative evaluation of patients with otherwise no organic disorders]

The efficiency of preoperative laboratory screening of normal, healthy patients was investigated. Preoperative test results of 1311 consecutive patients were collected. Data on haemoglobin, serum potassium, serum creatinine and serum ALAT were routinely obtained. 736 patients were classified by history and physical examination as normal healthy persons not having any systemic disorder. In this group of patients no clinically relevant abnormal laboratory results were found under the age of 60 years. In the group of 60 years and older a significant number had elevated serum creatinine values.