GENERAL SURGERY

 

Why is surgery cancelled? A retrospective evaluation

 

 

I. Chamisa

F.R.C.S., F.C.S. (S.A.); Department of General Surgery, Prince Mishyeni Memorial Hospital, and University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban

 

 

---

SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION: The cancellation of surgery wastes theatre time and creates hardship for patients, who often plan their working and family lives around the proposed operation date.
METHODS: A retrospective evaluation of cancellations of scheduled elective and urgent operations was done using theatre records from May 2006 to April 2007. The reasons for cancellation were examined.
RESULTS: Of a total of 5 786 operations, 5.6% were cancelled or postponed. Lack of medical clearance and patient preparation (65.1%) was the most common reason for cancellation. Lack or failure of instruments and patient cancellation constituted 2.8% and 1.8% of the cancellations respectively.
CONCLUSION: Last-minute cancellation of surgery was a significant problem, and appreciation of the usual reasons for cancellations can improve theatre utilisation and avoid inconveniencing patients and their families.

---

 

 

“Full text available only in PDF format”

 

 

REFERENCES

1. Dufek S, Gaucher E, Gialanella. The total quality process applied to the operating rooms and other clinical processes. Surgery 1993; 113: 255-259.         [ Links ]

2. Anderson RP, Guyton SW, Paull DL, et al. Selection of patients for same-day coronary bypass operations. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1993; 105: 444-451.         [ Links ]

3. Conway JB, Goldberg J, Chung F. Preadmission anesthesia consultation clinic. Can J Anaesth 1992; 39: 1051-1057.         [ Links ]

4. Leigh JM, Walker J, Janaganathan P. Effect of preoperative anaesthetic visit on anxiety. BMJ 1977; 2: 987-989.         [ Links ]