Correlation between a patient-centred outcome score and surgical skill in oral surgery

Our aim was to find out whether scores derived from a patient-centred outcome questionnaire correlated with the skill of the surgeon as assessed by a trainer. We found a relatively poor correlation after removal of a third mandibular molar, probably because outcome scores incorporate other measures, including patients' perceptions, anaesthesia, clarity of explanations and instructions, apart from surgical skill. The experience of the surgeon and the length of operation also influenced the results. The correlation was closest (i.e. higher levels of skill produced milder symptoms) when the operation was under local anaesthesia, probably because the surgeon's skill, behaviour, and attitude were visible to the patient throughout, and other team members had a less prominent role. In future, it may be more appropriate to assess the performance of the whole surgical team, rather than the surgeon alone.