[The importance of the routine examination for preoperative preparation].

If, in an otherwise healthy patient, neither the case history nor a comprehensive clinical examination reveals any signs of abnormality, pre-operative guidelines usually do not call for any further examinations. Only when severe systemic illnesses are present are additional specific investigations considered necessary. Particular care is required with regard to spinal anesthesia and the removal of a catheter in patients taking anticoagulation drugs. Patients who have a cardiovascular risk need a more comprehensive pre-operative work-up.