Why is surgery cancelled? A retrospective evaluation.
BACKGROUND
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Chamisa
I
I
Department of General Surgery, Prince Mishyeni Memorial Hospital, Durban.
D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004630:Emergencies; D006761:Hospitals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D009873:Operating Rooms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013997:Time Factors