[Does the surgeon have to master sonography? Results of a survey in Swiss clinics].

The range of applications for sonography in medicine is widening rapidly. More and more specialists are doing their particular sonographic examinations themselves. In other countries ultrasound is already part of the postgraduate surgical training. A questionnaire was sent to 142 surgical clinics in Switzerland to assess the present situation of ultrasound in surgery and to find out if changes are desirable. 112 questionnaires were returned. In 107 hospitals ultrasound equipment was available. Only 31 clinics had a surgeon trained in sonography amongst their staff, although 71 would like to start sonography in their clinic. Courses in sonography were considered necessary 87 times and most important, 83 clinics (74%) agreed to the introduction of ultrasound into the postgraduate training of Swiss surgeons.