Perioperative Medication Management.

ABSTRACT

Medication management in the perioperative period is a critical part of the decision-making prior to surgery. While randomized trial levels of evidence in this space are scant, retrospective data and expert consensus provide practical guidance for these decisions. Clinicians must understand risks and benefits of withholding versus continuing medications, stop medications based on pharmacokinetics and effect on primary disease and surgical risk, and resume medications after surgery in a timely manner. Knowing alternate routes of medication administration can help keep chronic disease processes stable through surgery.