Decision making in surgery--general considerations

All aspects of surgical decision making,--why, what, when, where, how and to whom--are being subjected to an increasingly accurate analysis. The principles of this analysis should form an essential part of the theoretical curriculum of all surgeons, young and old. Only by these means can the production of health benefits be maximized and the definitive goal of all surgical care be attained: the maximization of produced health benefits. This article provides a short outline of decision analysis in surgery.