[Limits of stress tolerance from the viewpoint of anesthesiology]

The overall operative risk is determined by operation, anaesthesia and numerous additional factors which include the pre-existing physical status of the patient himself as well as external impacts. Check-lists have improved the validity of predicting these risks. However, evaluation of the operative risk is not the only prerequisite for extending the limits of the patient's stress endurance and expanding consecutively the margins of safety for the anaesthesist, surgeon and patient. Additionally, an optimal homoeostasis has to be achieved preoperatively with emphasis on respiration, circulation and nutritional status.