[Hormonal contraception--thromboembolic disorders and surgical risk (author's transl)]

Epidemiological, coagulational, hemodynamical, and morphological studies are critically analysed in this review. Our attitude towards the surgical operation risk under hormonal contraceptives is explained. For smaller operative procedures a break in hormonal contraception is not necessary. If greater operations are envisaged they have to be performed only 4 to 6 weeks after cessation of hormonal contraceptives, i.e., after the first spontaneous menstrual bleeding. Hints are given for the necessity of thromboembolic prophylaxis with heparin in unforseen greater operations without an interval free from pills or in additional risk factors.