INTRODUCTION: The outcome of some surgical procedures is related to the surgeon's experience. We examined how much experience surgeons in 12 hospitals in the region of Copenhagen gained in colon surgery in 1999. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The Ministry of Health identified the number of colon patients operated on in the region of Copenhagen in 1999. The departments were asked to validate the lists of patients and to fill in a questionnaire describing the surgeon's experience in that year. RESULTS: Eleven of 12 departments answered the questionnaire (92%). One hundred and two senior surgeons operated on 674 patients. Forty of the surgeons operated on one to four patients in 1999, and only five performed 15 or more operations. More than 50% of the surgical procedures were carried out by surgeons who performed fewer than 10 colon operations in 1999. Most of the low-volume surgeons' operations were performed during calls. DISCUSSION: Colon surgery in the region of Copenhagen was performed by a large number of surgeons in many hospitals in 1999. Hospital volume was not associated with surgeon volume.
INTRODUCTION: The outcome of some surgical procedures is related to the surgeon's experience. We examined how much experience surgeons in 12 hospitals in the region of Copenhagen gained in colon surgery in 1999. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The Ministry of Health identified the number of colon patients operated on in the region of Copenhagen in 1999. The departments were asked to validate the lists of patients and to fill in a questionnaire describing the surgeon's experience in that year. RESULTS: Eleven of 12 departments answered the questionnaire (92%). One hundred and two senior surgeons operated on 674 patients. Forty of the surgeons operated on one to four patients in 1999, and only five performed 15 or more operations. More than 50% of the surgical procedures were carried out by surgeons who performed fewer than 10 colon operations in 1999. Most of the low-volume surgeons' operations were performed during calls. DISCUSSION: Colon surgery in the region of Copenhagen was performed by a large number of surgeons in many hospitals in 1999. Hospital volume was not associated with surgeon volume.