• I Kieran, E Fitzgerald, S Murphy, and M O'Shaughnessy.
• Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department, Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland, ingridkieran@yahoo.com.
• Ir J Med Sci. 2013 Dec 1; 182 (4): 657662657-62.

BackgroundGuidelines issued by the British Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons suggest that the ratio of elective to emergency cases in plastic surgery units should be 2:1.AimTo investigate how the workload composition of a regional plastic surgery unit compared with these guidelines.MethodsThe changes in the workload composition of a regional plastic surgery unit were examined by retrospectively analysing all plastic and reconstructive surgery cases performed over 12 years (1998-2009).ResultsThis time period saw a change from a 1:2 ratio of elective to trauma procedures, to the recommended ratio, at a time when the overall caseload increased by almost 40 % (3,281 procedures in 1998 to 4,529 procedures in 2009).ConclusionExpansion of staff numbers at consultant and non-consultant grades, and increased resources (allocated theatre sessions and outpatient clinics) were pivotal to this change.

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