preoperative
adjective
pre·op·er·a·tive
(ˌ)prē-ˈä-p(ə-)rə-tiv 
-pə-ˌrā-
1
: occurring before a surgical operation
preoperative care
2
: having not yet undergone a surgical operation
preoperatively
adverb
Examples of preoperative in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Advanced imaging, patient-specific instrumentation, patient selection and preoperative planning reduce these issues.
—
Richard Menger Md Mpa, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Discussions between patients and their surgeons regarding regret should be part of the preoperative process for all patients, the researchers said.
—Paul McClure 11, New Atlas, 11 June 2025
Also out of bounds are people’s suggestions about prescription drugs or a medically prescribed intervention such as preoperative care.
—Michael L. Millenson, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
The website points out that 24% of surgeries are canceled due to failure to follow preoperative instructions, according to a survey from the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association.
—Tony Madden, arkansasonline.com, 27 Feb. 2025
That’s why cardiac clearance is a cornerstone of preoperative planning — and why surgeons like me take it so seriously.
—Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN, 6 Feb. 2025
Healthcare: Surgeons can use immersive 3D models for preoperative planning or medical training, improving precision and reducing risks.
—Alexandre De Vigan, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
As part of the VAD process, healthcare providers encourage caregivers to participate in preoperative and postoperative education.
—Christopher Lee, Verywell Health, 2 Oct. 2024
Real-Time Guidance Machine learning algorithms analyze vast amounts of preoperative and intraoperative data to assist in surgical planning and execution.
—Joseph Nathan, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2024
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Richard Menger Md Mpa, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Discussions between patients and their surgeons regarding regret should be part of the preoperative process for all patients, the researchers said.
—Paul McClure 11, New Atlas, 11 June 2025
Also out of bounds are people’s suggestions about prescription drugs or a medically prescribed intervention such as preoperative care.
—Michael L. Millenson, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
The website points out that 24% of surgeries are canceled due to failure to follow preoperative instructions, according to a survey from the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association.
—Tony Madden, arkansasonline.com, 27 Feb. 2025
That’s why cardiac clearance is a cornerstone of preoperative planning — and why surgeons like me take it so seriously.
—Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN, 6 Feb. 2025
Healthcare: Surgeons can use immersive 3D models for preoperative planning or medical training, improving precision and reducing risks.
—Alexandre De Vigan, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
As part of the VAD process, healthcare providers encourage caregivers to participate in preoperative and postoperative education.
—Christopher Lee, Verywell Health, 2 Oct. 2024
Real-Time Guidance Machine learning algorithms analyze vast amounts of preoperative and intraoperative data to assist in surgical planning and execution.
—Joseph Nathan, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Preoperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preoperative. Accessed 24 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
preoperative
adjective
pre·op·er·a·tive
(ˈ)prē-ˈäp-(ə-)rət-iv, -ˈäp-ə-ˌrāt-
1
: occurring, performed, or administered before and usually close to a surgical operation
preoperative care
preoperative medication
2
: having not yet undergone a surgical operation
preoperative patients
preoperatively
adverb
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