Evaluation of Operative Notes for Splenic Flexure Mobilization: Are the Key Aspects Being Reported?

Given the importance of operative documentation, we reviewed operative notes for surgeries that required splenic flexure mobilization (SFM) to determine their accuracy. We performed a retrospective review of 51 operative notes for complete SFMs performed at a single institution from January 2015 to June 2020. None of the operative notes reported a rationale for performing SFM, use of preoperative imaging to guide technical approach, reasoning for the operative method and mobilization approach used, or specific steps taken to ensure that SFM was done safely. Most reports did not include technical details, with one-third of the notes merely reporting that "the splenic flexure was mobilized." Increased awareness about the lack of operative documentation of the critical aspects of the SFM could stimulate initiatives to standardize the SFM method and improve the quality of operative notes for SFM.