[Surgically relevant comorbidity: ability to cooperate]

The ability to cooperate represents an important prognostic factor for the result of any surgical therapy. Cooperation relies on a trustful relationship between physician and patient and requires active participation of the patient. Surgical procedures requiring long-term follow-up depend on a high degree of cooperation. Cooperation is the result of numerous psycho-social factors. The degree of potential cooperation influences to a large extent the decision process for indication and choice of method. The ability to cooperate does not depend on the patient only but it is result of a therapeutic alliance between patient and physician.