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.