Complication data collection: a prospective, standardised, coded system for otolaryngology or other branches of surgery.

This system for interdepartmental collection of data on surgical complications should, though designed for otolaryngology, be applicable to any surgical specialty. The system under which data are collected prospectively on a coded proforma has been shown to document considerably higher complication rates than retrospective, uncoded data collection and, as consultants are unlikely to report non-existent complications, we assume that the higher rates are more valid. The system also provides a list of factors which must be standardised before data on complication rates from different units can usefully be pooled or comparisons made between them.