[Ambulatory anesthesia--possibilities and limitations from the anesthesiologic viewpoint].

Out-patient anaesthesia generally comprises a higher risk than the surgical procedure itself, because there is no anaesthetic procedure adapted to ambulatory surgery besides local anaesthesia. All the safeguards accorded in-patients are required, i.e. a history and physical examination to determine suitability for anaesthesia by the anaesthetizing doctor. Anaesthesia should provide optimal operating conditions with a short recovery period and post-anaesthetic care. For operations under general anaesthesia, co-operation with an anaesthetist is recommended: continuous management of anaesthesia and monitoring of the patient require a second doctor.