• I Chamisa.
• Department of General Surgery, Prince Mishyeni Memorial Hospital, Durban.
• S Afr J Surg. 2008 Aug 1;46(3):79-81.

IntroductionThe cancellation of surgery wastes theatre time and creates hardship for patients, who often plan their working and family lives around the proposed operation date.MethodsA 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.ResultsOf 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.ConclusionLast-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.

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