| preoperative | <surgery> Preceding an operation. (18 Nov 1997) |
|---|---|
| preoperative care | Care given during the period prior to undergoing surgery when psychological and physical preparations are made according to the special needs of the individual patient. This period spans the time between admission to the hospital to the time the surgery begins. (12 Dec 1998) |
| preoperative record | In dentistry, any record made for the purpose of study or treatment planning. See: diagnostic cast. Synonym: preextraction record. (05 Mar 2000) |