ABSTRACT
The phrase “fitness for general anesthesia” refers to a process of risk assessment prior to surgery.
The assessment involves a multidisciplinary approach so as to evaluate the risks to the patient in the perioperative period. These risks may be in the preoperative period, at induction of anesthesia, during the operation, or postoperatively. It is important that the various specialists involved in the perioperative risk assessment provide reports that are coordinated, usually by the anesthetist, prior to a discussion with the patient regarding the risks and potential complications. In practice, this is usually through the preoperative anesthetic clinic and a multidisciplinary discourse, which will involve the anesthetist, surgeon, and potentially those involved in the postoperative care (i.e., intensive care/highdependency specialists).
