Difference between Preoperative and Postoperative Diagnoses

Question:

Is there a difference between a preoperative diagnosis and a postoperative diagnosis?

Answer:

Preoperative diagnosis is based on the “reason for the surgery” or the condition affecting the patient leading to the necessity of the surgery. Underlying co-morbidities that can affect the surgical outcome or represent a risk to the patient can also be included but the documentation must support their relationship to the patient risk.

Postoperative diagnoses are based on the findings determined during the surgical procedure. Post-op diagnosis may be the same as the pre-op diagnosis or may be more definitive.

*This response is based on the best information available as of 3/13/25.