title: [Collaboration of general surgeons with neurosurgeons: what does a general surgeon need to know about neurosurgery?].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The most freq+uent disorders and injuries requiring the joint attention of general surgeons and neurosurgeons are presented and analysed in this review.
  
  
  METHODS
  The priorities and prognosis concerning diagnostic and surgical measures for patients in coma with multiple injuries, extra- and intraspinal tumours and brain metastases are analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The urgency of general surgical and neurosurgical measures is not ruled by a preformatted pattern but by the vital needs of the individual patient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The differentiation of vital from non-vital operations or with regard to prognosis necessary from inadequate general surgical and neurosurgical measures is of fundamental importance. The successive order of general surgical and neurosurgical interventions must be adjusted to the needs of each individual patient.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Neurochirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Magdeburg A. ö. R., Germany.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Firsching
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Voellger
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lippert
mesh_terms: D001926:Brain Death / Q000175:diagnosis; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D004630:Emergencies; D013502:General Surgery; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D009493:Neurosurgery; D018458:Persistent Vegetative State / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D011379:Prognosis; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery