[Operability and fitness for anesthesia (author's transl)].

The decision as to operability and fitness for anaesthesia must be made jointly by the surgeon and the anaesthesiologist and only by them. They arrange for the required diagnostic and therapeutic measures to be taken to assure the success of the operation. The advice of other specialists as to the treatment of disorders unconnected with the primary disease does not extend to questions regarding operability and fitness for anaesthesia. The preparation of out-patients for surgery requires particular care on the part of the anaesthesiologist. A detailed pre-operative explanation to the patient of what is involved will greatly help to relieve the patient's anxiety.