title: [Categories for evaluating surgical procedures by expert medical witnesses].
abstract: An analytical procedure is presented that helps to determine the causes of surgical malpractice. A first evaluation scale of six levels is applied to the assessment of the indications for surgery and the method used as well as a second scale for the technical realisation of the treatment. For the indication and method categories A-F are used.A: method of choice; B: a time-tested method but second choice; C: exceptional method, rarely practised; D: historical method no longer in use; E: incorrect method/simple mistake; F: blatant mistake in the assessment of indication or choice of method, not understandable. To evaluate the technical realisation of treatment a scale from 1 to 6 is applied. 1: excellent realisation; 2: successful, but minor drawbacks; 3: atypical but acceptable result; 4: technically failed but no harm to the patient; 5: insufficient realisation; 6: faulty, grossly failed. Three cases are given as examples. In these cases the use of the proposed categories and scaling leads to differentiated assessments.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Unfall-, Hand- und Wiederherstellungschirurgie, Klinikum der Universität zu Köln, Germany. klaus.rehm@medizin.uni-koeln.de
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Rehm
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Helling
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019091:Critical Pathways / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D005104:Expert Testimony / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008318:Malpractice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*