Several survey reported that use of dietary supplements including herbal medicine was common in the preoperative period. The use of such remedies has implications for the anesthesiologists because of the potential for drug interactions and side effects. Little information is available on the frequency of use in the surgical population in Korea. This study was purposed to find out the frequency and predictors of the use of dietary supplements in presurgical patients.

A questionnaire was distributed to all patients at the preoperative visit from May 2006 to August 2006. The questionnaire inquired as to basic demographics, use of dietary supplements, the name and number of dietary supplements used, reasons to take the dietary supplements, and whether the patient had informed anesthesiologist of the use.

A total 1,072 completed surveys showed that overall 37% of presurgical patients reported the use of dietary supplements. Less than half of the patients told their anesthesiologists that they were using dietary supplements. The most commonly used dietary supplements were ginseng, soy, glucosamine, garlic, prunus mume, mushroom, siberian ginseng, fish oils, aloe, ginger, and gingko in order of incidence. Young age was predictor associated with lower use of dietary supplements.

Use of dietary supplements is common in the preoperative period in Korea. Documentation of the use of these products in the perioperative period is important to consider the potential interaction of dietary supplements with medical medicine or anesthetics.