[Experiences with 2 years of quality control following general and vascular surgery in 3193 patients]

3193 general and vascular surgical interventions were prospectively controlled regarding the postoperative complication rates. The examination of all complication data was necessary to define the risk of the various operations. By a regular follow-up system the risk of wound infections and other complications decreased. Although perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis and stapling devices for gastrointestinal end-to-end anastomoses were routinely used, the surgeon still influenced the complication rates.