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Psychotropic Drugs and the Perioperative Period: A Proposal for a Guideline in Elective Surgery

Received December 23, 2003; revised April 16, 2004; January 5, 2005; accepted February 4, 2005. From the Dept. of General Internal Medicine, University Medical Center, Groningen, the Netherlands; the Depts. of Intensive Care and Anesthesiology, University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam; and Apotheek Haagse Ziekenhuizen, The Hague, The Netherlands. Send correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Huyse, Dept. of Internal Medicine, Hanzeplein 1, PO Box 30.001, 9700RB Groningen, the Netherlands; e-mail: f.j.huijse{at}int.azg.nl

Evidence-based guidelines for the perioperative management of psychotropic drugs are lacking. The level of evidence is low and is based on case reports, open trials, and non-systematic reviews. However, the interactions and effects mentioned indicate that patients who use psychotropics and require surgery have an enhanced perioperative risk. A group of clinicians from several clinical disciplines determined which risks should be considered in an integrated preoperative assessment, as well as how psychotropics might interfere with these risks. The risks that should be considered in the perioperative period are the extent of the surgery, the patient’s physical state, anesthesia, the direct and indirect (Phase I and II) effects of psychotropics, risk of withdrawal symptoms, and risk of psychiatric recurrence or relapse. Because of new drug developments, the risk of interactions increases. The literature has not provided articles that systematically address these risks. On the basis of a systematic analysis of the available literature guided by the formulated perioperative risks, a proposal for the perioperative management of psychotropics was formulated. Patients who use lithium, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, tricyclics, and clozepine have serious drug–drug interactions, with increased physical risks, including withdrawal, and therefore qualify for American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Classification 3. From the perspective of the physical risk, they require discontinuation. However, from the perspective of the risk of withdrawal and psychiatric relapse and recurrence, these patients deserve intensive, integrated anesthetic/psychiatric management. For patients on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) who are mentally and physical stable (ASA Classification 2), the risk of withdrawal seems to justify their continuation. Yet, patients on SSRIs with higher physical or psychiatric risks should be seen in consultation. Both the physical and psychiatric risks of patients who use antipsychotics and other antidepressants should be regarded as enhanced. From a physical perspective, they qualify for ASA Classification 2. From the perspective of withdrawal and psychiatric recurrence or relapse, they should be seen by (their) psychiatrists. Preoperative assessment clinics offer the opportunity to assess and evaluate these risks in order to deliver patient-tailored integrated care. Authors propose a model for quality management.

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