Which item is considered important to review in preoperative history for laparoscopic surgery?

Which item is considered important to review in preoperative history for laparoscopic surgery?

• A. History of DVT/PE
• B. Favorite music
• C. Recent travel
• D. Blood type

Answer: (A)

The key idea is assessing the risk of venous thromboembolism before surgery. A history of DVT or PE signals a patient who is more prone to clots, especially after immobilization and the physiological effects of anesthesia and laparoscopy (such as limited venous return from the legs and abdominal pressures). This information directly shapes how you plan prophylaxis and anticoagulation around the operation: you may need enhanced thromboprophylaxis with medications, mechanical methods like sequential compression devices, and careful timing of any anticoagulants to balance clot prevention against bleeding risk. If there’s active thrombosis or a recent VTE, you might delay elective surgery or adjust perioperative anticoagulation with input from a hematologist to reduce both thrombotic and bleeding complications. Items like favorite music or recent travel aren’t central to perioperative risk assessment. Blood type can be relevant for transfusion planning, but it doesn’t dictate thromboembolic risk or prophylaxis strategy in the same way a prior DVT/PE history does.

The key idea is assessing the risk of venous thromboembolism before surgery. A history of DVT or PE signals a patient who is more prone to clots, especially after immobilization and the physiological effects of anesthesia and laparoscopy (such as limited venous return from the legs and abdominal pressures). This information directly shapes how you plan prophylaxis and anticoagulation around the operation: you may need enhanced thromboprophylaxis with medications, mechanical methods like sequential compression devices, and careful timing of any anticoagulants to balance clot prevention against bleeding risk. If there’s active thrombosis or a recent VTE, you might delay elective surgery or adjust perioperative anticoagulation with input from a hematologist to reduce both thrombotic and bleeding complications.

Items like favorite music or recent travel aren’t central to perioperative risk assessment. Blood type can be relevant for transfusion planning, but it doesn’t dictate thromboembolic risk or prophylaxis strategy in the same way a prior DVT/PE history does.