Introduction

Surgical practice of the highest standards has always been based on sound knowledge of applied anatomy, sharp clinical judgment and excellent operative skills. In modern times, surgical practice is also integrated with basic and translational research in which the surgeon has to be actively and creatively involved.

Tight monitoring of the outcomes of surgical practice and the development of evidence-based surgery is a central theme in modern surgery. Clinical audit is an important process for the continuous evaluation of care provided to patients, leading to the acknowledgement of drawbacks, and has become a driving force for future improvement. Thus, it is necessary for surgeons to familiarize themselves, as early as possible during their careers, with the basic principles.

Acquiring informed consent is a crucial part of the daily practice of a surgeon. In modern healthcare, the patients rightly have a very strong say regarding their care and medical-legal problems arise more frequently. Therefore, surgeons have to be trained properly regarding the width and depth of the information they need to provide to the patients and their families prior to surgery regarding the type of operation, the potential problems and alternative treatments and allow them sufficient time and space to ‘digest the information’, ask questions and finally consent without coercion.