Impact of dedicated trauma lists on a maxillofacial surgical service

In 1995, the maxillofacial surgical inpatient services in East Lancashire were centralized in Blackburn Royal Infirmary, and twice-weekly operating lists dedicated to maxillofacial trauma were established. We examined the non-elective workload for three-month periods before and after trauma lists became available to find out the proportion of non-elective operations done out of normal working hours. Although there was an increase in the total number of non-elective patients after centralization, day-time trauma lists allowed a reduction in the proportion of operations performed out of normal working hours. Fewer trauma cases were added to elective lists. Trauma lists allow the unit to comply with the recommendations of both NCEPOD and the Calman report, in that they maximize training opportunities for all staff and facilitate both audit and research.