[The department system in surgery (author's transl)].

The organisational model practised at the Department of Surgery at Hannover Medical School during the last 8 years has proven practicable, efficient and largely satisfactory to all of the staff. It is derived from Anglo-Saxon prototypes, differing from these, however, in a considerable participation of the residents in questions essential to their progress. The modalities of cooperation within the Department are presented in detail and ways and modalities for avoiding intra- and extradepartmental friction are discussed.