[Surgical interdisciplinarity-abdomen excluding the pelvis]

Cooperation between different surgical disciplines arises from the employment of nonoperative procedures as a supplement to operative treatment (sequential multidisciplinary operations) and synchronized multidisciplinary or simultaneous operations. The objective is to ensure optimized treatment results. Complementary preoperative measures are the endoscopic removal of bile duct stones, interventional portal vein embolization, percutaneous abscess drainage, and so-called stenting in case of mechanical bowel obstruction. Intraoperative cooperation is advised in case of abdominal surgical diseases, especially with vascular surgery. Visceral surgeons should have a good command of vascular surgical techniques when performing corresponding operations. The aim of operative cooperation between different disciplines is to safeguard optimal treatment results. From this follows a right to and, for physicians, the duty of interdisciplinary cooperation. A prerequisite is the knowledge of the potentialities of the different disciplines as well as mutual respect for their limits. Intensive communication is an important aspect during the whole process of diagnostics, therapy, and postoperative care.