[The practice of surgery in France. Current state, fears for the future]

After a study of the number of surgeons practising in France, the author presents data which may have a poor effect on the future of the specialty: increasing constraints, reduced numbers of interns, decreased income and disappearance of general surgery, etc. The discipline is poorly prepared for future technical innovations. In the near future the population may no longer be served by an adequate number of surgeons, due to lack of interest in the specialty.