Selective preoperative assessment before early laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A narrative review

Table 4 Suggested eligibility criteria for direct listing without routine clinic-based pre-assessment

Criterion	Direct listing suitable when	Formal assessment required when
ASA status	ASA I-II with stable or absent comorbidity	ASA III-IV or uncertain classification
Functional capacity	Good exercise tolerance and no unexplained symptoms	Poor functional capacity, dyspnoea, chest pain, syncope
Medication	Simple medication profile, no complex anticoagulation	Warfarin/DOAC complexity, antiplatelet uncertainty, insulin complexity
Investigations	Recent blood tests reviewed and acceptable	Unexplained anaemia, renal impairment, electrolyte abnormality, suspected CBD stones
Anaesthetic history	No previous difficult airway or major anaesthetic complication	Previous difficult airway, malignant hyperthermia risk, severe postoperative complication
Frailty/social factors	Independent, adequate discharge support	Frailty, cognitive impairment, safeguarding or discharge concerns

ASA: American Society of Anesthesiologists; DOAC: Direct oral anticoagulant; CBD: Common bile duct.