Objective: To investigate whether preoperative regular laboratory tests are necessary to all patients in ambulatory gynecological surgery settings.
Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study. Patients who underwent selective ambulatory gynecological surgery in Peking University First Hospital during January 2012 and May 2012 were enrolled. Regular preoperative laboratory tests including complete blood count (21 items), biochemical test (8 items), bleeding & clotting test (10 items) and urine test (12 items) were recorded. An expert group criticized on all abnormal items according to referred normal range and decided if the abnormal items had clinical significance. The demographic data, perioperative related data, complications (intraoperative and postoperative 7 days) and mortality in postoperative 7 days were also recorded.
Results: In the study, 708 patients were enrolled and no death case in postoperative 7 days. Of all the patients, 610 (86.2%) showed one or more laboratory test abnormalities. The incidence of complete blood count abnormality was 68.8% (487/708), of biochemical test 48.2% (341/708), of coagulation test 24.2% (171/708) and of urine test 37.3% (264/708). But only a few of them needed clinical treatment or intervention. There was no statistical significance between the normal patients and abnormal patients in the incidence of surgical complications. Multi Logistic analysis showed that age, hypertension, arrhythmia, coronary artery disease and diabetes were independent risk factors of complications. No patient died in postoperative 7 days.
Conclusion: The incidence of abnormal regular laboratory tests is very high, but only a few of them have clinical significance or need clinical treatment. The occurrence of abnormal regular laboratory tests is not related with complications.