ABSTRACT
Anesthetic and surgical technique must be individualized for every patient and explained to the patient during the office consultation. Adequate preoperative education to be provided by the colorectal surgeon or by a member of the surgical team familiar with the procedure will provide comfort and minimize the patient’s anxiety. Patient evaluation for ambulatory surgery begins with a thorough history and physical examination. The history should first focus on the nature of the disease process to assist in making the correct diagnosis. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is another concern when scheduling surgery, whether ambulatory or in-patient. OSA is often associated with obesity; however, normal weight patients may also suffer from OSA. The possibility of in-patient admission should also be considered and arrangements made prior to surgery, especially if the patient is likely to require narcotics for analgesia. Cardiac evaluation prior to surgery is determined based on the patient’s history. All patient medications should be taken into account during the preoperative evaluation.
