[Preoperative routine chest x-ray: expensive and of little value].

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.