Surgical time and motion: the intermediate equivalent revisited

A Randomized Prospective Time and Motion Comparison of Techniques to Process Autologous Fat Grafts

BACKGROUND

Time and motion studies provide a reliable methodology to quantify efficiency and establish recommendations for best practices in autologous fat grafting. The purpose of this study was to compare the rate of graft processing of three frequently used systems for graft preparation.

METHODS

The authors conducted a prospective randomized comparison of three methods to prepare adipose tissue for autologous fat grafting: an active filtration system (Revolve; LifeCell Corporation, Branchburg, N.J.), a passive filtration system (PureGraft 250; Cytori Therapeutics, San Diego, Calif.), and centrifugation. An independent observer collected data according to the study's behavioral checklist. The primary outcome measure was rate of adipose tissue processed.

RESULTS

Forty-six patients (mean age, 54 years; mean body mass index, 28.6 kg/m2) were included in the study (15 per arm; one patient was included with intention to treat after a failed screening). The rate of adipose tissue preparation was greater for the active filtration system compared with the others (active filtration: 9.98 ml/min versus passive filtration: 5.66 ml/min versus centrifugation: 2.47 ml/min). Similarly, there was a significant difference in total grafting time (active: 82.7 ± 8.51 minutes versus passive: 152 ± 13.1 minutes, p = 0.0005; versus centrifugation: 209.9 ± 28.5 minutes, p = 0.0005); however, there was no difference in total operative time (p = 0.82, 0.60).

CONCLUSIONS

As the number of fat grafting procedures increases, there is interest in developing techniques to harvest, process, and inject fat to improve clinical outcomes and operative efficiency. The results of this study indicate that an active fat processing system is more time efficient at graft preparation than a passive system or centrifugation.

Time and motion in cosmetic surgery

Time and motion studies have been used to analyze performance and improve outcomes. This prospective study evaluated a typical operating day at a surgical facility in the United Kingdom by recording admitting time into the hospital, entrance and exit times from theatre, and length of surgical time. The same surgical team performed 10 breast augmentations in less than 10 hr, with a mean preparation time of 9 min 20 s and a mean surgical time (from incision to closure) of 32 min. The mean exit time was 6 min 15 s, with a mean changing time between patients of about 24 min (median = 21 min). No adverse patient complications were reported.

Workload and resource implications of upper gastrointestinal cancer surgical centralisation in South East Wales

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to determine whether one specialist unit could manage all patients diagnosed with oesophagogastric cancer in Gwent and Cardiff and Vale NHS Trusts over a 6-month period with regard to workload, resource and training opportunities.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All patients diagnosed with oesophagogastric (OG) cancer in Gwent and Cardiff and Vale NHS Trusts and referred to the regional South East Wales Upper GI multidisciplinary team over the 6-month period from 1 July to 31 December 2005 were studied prospectively and compared with the previous 6-month caseload at Cardiff and Vale.

RESULTS

Out-patient workload increased from 160 new (33 OG cancers) and 533 follow-up patients (161 OG cancers) between 1 January and 30 June 2005, to 290 new (68 OG cancers, 106% increase) and 865 follow-up patients (230 OG cancers, 43% increase) between 1 July, and 31 December 2005. The number of patients undergoing radical surgery increased from 14 to 23 (D2 gastrectomy 8 versus 13; oesophagectomy 6 versus 10). Cancer-related workload in the latter period generated 118 intermediate equivalents (IEs) of operative work for two specialist surgeons and one SpR occupying 38% of the total time available on 104 scheduled operating lists, compared with 64 IEs in the previous 6 months, representing an 84% increase in cancer-related operative training opportunities.

CONCLUSIONS

Centralisation of oesophagogastric cancer surgery is feasible and desirable if national guidelines are to be satisfied, and this strategy has significant positive implications for surgical training and audit.

Reduction in varicose vein services: impact on operative training

INTRODUCTION

This study examines the impact of rationing varicose vein operations on operative training on a general surgical unit with a vascular interest.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Log-books of middle-grade surgeons were analysed for 3-month periods before and after a decision by the local Primary Care Trust to ration varicose vein referrals. Number, intermediate equivalents and type of operations were recorded, whether they were general or vascular cases and whether the trainee had carried out or assisted with the operation.

RESULTS

There was a slight fall in the total number of operations in which the middle-grade surgeons were involved (208 to 186). There was a significant increase in general surgical cases with the fall in number of varicose vein operations (P < 0.0001). The fall in case-load and work-load operative training in vascular surgery was compensated by an increase in general surgical cases (P = 0.0003). This was largely due to increased number of hernia repairs (P = 0.0035).

CONCLUSIONS

From the point of operative training, a vascular unit in a district general hospital would not be sustainable following withdrawal of varicose vein services. However, this can be off-set by increasing general surgical case-load to fill the gap created.