[Guidelines in surgery: from the viewpoint of health care economics]

Guidelines support the economic evaluation of surgical procedures. Therefore, guidelines should contain cost-benefit information as a basic element. Guidelines prompt activities in the health-care system by means of information. Some of the information should thus be available and understandable for nonmedical staff, too. Guidelines should improve the transparency of surgical outcome to enable patients and insured parties to make a more rational choice and thus provide their own input into the health care system.