title: Wound complications after major gastrointestinal operations. The surgeon as a risk factor.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Wound complications occur quite often after abdominal operations. Numerous studies have been performed in the last decades focusing on closure methods, incisions and suture materials. However, the most important factor, the individual surgeon, has hardly been taken into account in these studies.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study presents results from a prospective randomised study on abdominal wall closure focusing on the results of the individual surgeon.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found no differences in the complication rate between different suture materials or between continuous and interrupted closure techniques. There are marked individual differences in complication rates between surgeons. Regular audit with feedback to individual surgeons is an important instrument for quality improvement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gislason
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Søreide
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Viste
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006555:Hernia, Ventral / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000209:etiology*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology*; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013537:Sutures