Second and subsequent surgical operations within 12 months of a first operation

In a retrospective study, all patients having anaesthetic procedures within a 3-month period were identified and followed up to establish if they had further procedures within a calendar year. The procedures undertaken on these patients were then identified to establish if a relationship existed between the procedures and what that relationship was. 11% of all patients returned for further procedures, 80% of which were within the same surgery specialty. In the overwhelming majority, the subsequent procedures were related to the first either as planned courses of treatment or by complications of the surgery or the disease process. The relationship between the procedures and their time intervals is discussed.