Evaluation of surgical and anesthesiology physicians' approaches to preoperative medication management: a two-center survey study

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the approaches of surgical and anesthesiology physicians toward the management of medications used during the preoperative period and to raise awareness about standardizing these practices to minimize perioperative complications. Methods: After ethical approval, a web-based 27-question survey was distributed between April and July 2023 to surgeons and anesthesiologists working at F & imath;rat University Faculty of Medicine Hospital and Elaz & imath;& gbreve; Fethi Sekin City Hospital. The questionnaire assessed demographic characteristics and clinical approaches to preoperative medication management. Descriptive statistical methods were used for data analysis. Results: A total of 83 physicians participated; 69.8% were from F & imath;rat University and 30.1% from Elaz & imath;& gbreve; Fethi Sekin City Hospital. Of them, 61.7% reported having a preoperative medication management protocol. Antiplatelet/anticoagulant drugs were the most frequently questioned group (39.8%), while only 4.8% asked about herbal medicine use. Nearly half (49.4%) always discontinued antiplatelet/anticoagulants, mostly one week before surgery. In contrast, 72% continued NSAIDs and 84.1% continued antihypertensive medications. Antidepressants were stopped by 79.5% of participants, and herbal products were questioned by only 39.8%. Conclusion: Although physicians were generally aware of preoperative medication management principles, significant inconsistencies were observed between knowledge and practice. Decisions were largely based on individual experience rather than evidence-based guidelines. Particularly, limited awareness regarding herbal and psychotropic agents may increase perioperative risk. Standardized institutional protocols and continuous education are needed to improve patient safety and surgical outcomes.