title: Unplanned reoperation within 30 days of surgery for colorectal cancer in NHS Lanarkshire.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A recent study of unplanned reoperation within 28 days after colorectal surgery in England found a mean rate of 6.5% and suggested that this be used as a performance indicator. We aimed to find the unplanned 30-day reoperation rate for patients having colorectal cancer surgery in NHS Lanarkshire.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective study identified all patients having surgery for colorectal cancer in NHS Lanarkshire between 2006 and 2008 from a prospective colorectal cancer database. Scottish Morbidity Record (SMR01) data were then examined for each patient to determine whether they returned to the operating theatre within 30 days of the index procedure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five hundred and seventy-three patients had a primary operation for colorectal cancer during the period. The unplanned rate of reoperation within 30 days of surgery was 5.4%. There was no statistically significant difference between the hospital site, emergency or elective operation or laparoscopic resection or laparotomy. There was no statistically significant difference in reoperation rate between colorectal and general surgeons.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The rate of unplanned reoperation in NHS Lanarkshire compares favourably with that of England; however, similar methodological problems exist. The accuracy of the data is dependent on coding and entry.
authors: Department of General Surgery, Monklands District General Hospital, Airdrie, UK. s.mcsorley@doctors.org.uk
authors: S
authors: S
authors: McSorley
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Lowndes
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Sharma
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Macdonald
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012086:Reoperation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012606:Scotland; D013222:State Medicine