Perioperative

Perioperative refers to the total span of time that is associated with a patient's surgical procedure. It includes the period before, during, and after the operation. The perioperative period is commonly divided into three phases: preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative.

Preoperative Phase

The preoperative phase is the time period from when the decision for surgical intervention is made to the point when the patient is transferred to the operating room table. During this phase, the patient undergoes a preoperative evaluation to assess their fitness for surgery, which may include a physical examination, medical history review, and appropriate laboratory tests. The patient is also educated about the procedure and what to expect during the recovery period.

Intraoperative Phase

The intraoperative phase begins when the patient is transferred to the operating room table and ends at the time of transfer to the post anesthesia care unit (PACU). This phase includes the surgical procedure itself and the immediate care and monitoring of the patient's physiological status.

Postoperative Phase

The postoperative phase begins with the transfer of the patient to the PACU and ends at the last follow-up physician visit. During this phase, the focus is on recovery from anesthesia and surgery, pain management, wound healing, and rehabilitation.

See Also

• Anesthesia
• Surgery
• Postoperative care
• Preoperative fasting
• Operating room