'pre-surgical' originates from the prefix 'pre-' meaning 'before' and 'surgical' from 'surgery', which is derived from the Greek word 'cheirourgia', where 'cheir' meant 'hand' and 'ergon' meant 'work'.

'pre-surgical' evolved from the combination of 'pre-' and 'surgical', which was used in medical contexts to describe procedures or assessments done before surgery.

Initially, it meant 'before surgery', and this meaning has remained consistent in modern usage.