Glossary term · Hospital & care
Pre-anaesthetic check-up (also: PAC, Pre-anaesthesia assessment, Anaesthetic pre-assessment): A pre-anaesthetic check-up is an assessment, often by an anaesthetist, to confirm a patient is fit for anaesthesia and to plan it safely.
A pre-anaesthetic check-up is the assessment before surgery that confirms you are well enough for the anaesthetic. The NHS says it may include blood tests, an X-ray, an ECG and a fitness test, and you may meet the anaesthetist. In Indian hospitals it is often called a PAC and usually happens soon after you arrive.
What happens at the check-up?
The NHS says the appointment checks you are well enough for the procedure and the anaesthetic. Tests may include blood tests, an X-ray, an ECG and a fitness test. MedlinePlus adds that you may see your anaesthesia provider in the week before surgery.
What should you tell the anaesthetist?
- Every medicine you take, including herbal and Ayurvedic products.
- Any past allergic reaction to an anaesthetic or other medicine.
- Health conditions such as diabetes, heart, lung or kidney disease and sleep apnoea.
- Loose teeth, crowns or dentures, since dental damage is a listed complication.
- Any problems you or relatives have had with anaesthesia before.
You will be told when to stop eating and drinking and whether to keep taking your usual medicines. Follow these instructions exactly.
How does it fit into a trip to India?
For a planned operation the PAC usually happens after you arrive. If it finds a problem, such as high blood sugar, surgery may be postponed until it is controlled. You can reduce this risk by sending recent reports beforehand and asking which conditions to get under control at home first. The anaesthetist decides whether you are fit for anaesthesia.
Questions people ask
Can the pre-anaesthetic check-up be done before I travel?
Some tests can be done at home and sent ahead. The hospital’s anaesthetist will usually still want to see you in person before surgery. Ask which home tests they accept and how recent they must be.
Is general anaesthesia risky?
The NHS says complications are rare. Possible problems include allergic reactions, breathing difficulties, chest infection and dental or nerve damage. Your anaesthetist will explain the risks that apply to you.
Sources
General information, not medical or legal advice. Rules change: confirm with the official source. How we write and check.