[Does internal quality control reduce mistakes and complications? A plea for structured surgical education and...

Quality control in most surgical departments shows major deficiencies. Only 50% have daily conferences on the surgical indication, and morbidity and mortality conferences are held in less than 20% of the institutions. However, pre-, intra- and postoperative quality control may be able to reduce mistakes and complications. Among others, the possibilities to reduce perioperative morbidity and mortality include preoperatively an early evaluation of the patient in the outpatient-clinic, intraoperatively a structured and didactic teaching of the surgical trainee and postoperatively a morbidity and mortality conference. In particular the latter one may promote surgical training and may increase transparency of the perioperative results. The delicate nature of morbidity and mortality conferences can be overcome in an atmosphere of mutual respect and personal honesty.