[Risk assessment and patient information before anesthesia].

In order to determine the risk of anesthesia the anesthesiologist has to assess both the physical and the psychological status of the patient. The essential basis of any preoperative medical evaluation are the history and complete physical examination of the patient. Few laboratory screening tests and, in case of pathological findings, specific diagnostic procedures will ensue. If possible, preoperative therapies must be considered in order to reduce the risk resulting from concomitant diseases. However, apart from the patients diseases, both the risks of the anesthetic and surgical procedures contribute to the overall perioperative risk. On the basis of the preoperative evaluation, the anesthesiologist determines the methods of anesthesia to be applied. He also informs the patient about the planned anesthesia, the sequence of further measures, the risk of anesthesia, and accompanying risks. The family doctor can help to facilitate the preoperative assessment by performing certain examinations himself and by providing the anesthesiologist with relevant informations. By giving a piece of advice to the patient he can help to prepare him for anesthesia and to reduce fear and apprehensiveness.