title: [Preoperative routine chest x-ray: expensive and of little value].
abstract: In a retrospective analysis, we examined the findings of 3156 preoperative routine chest X-rays to define the indication of this cost-intensive examination. Pathological findings were seen only in 4% of all patients with no preexisting disease and in about 20% of patients with malignoma. Chest radiography is not routinely indicated in otherwise healthy patients, but should be performed if malignant disease is present.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Allgemein-, Gefäss- und Thoraxchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Benjamin Franklin, Freie Universität Berlin.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Ritz
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Germer
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Buhr
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008400:Mass Chest X-Ray / Q000191:economics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000191:economics*
vernacular_title: Der präoperative Routine-Thorax: teuer und wenig effektiv.