[Quality assurance in general surgery by prospective patient documentation. A comparison over 5 years]

All patients who had undergone general surgery in three different periods of time were prospectively recorded. Results were found to have been improving with significance owing to peri-operative antibiotic prophylaxis, mechanical suturing (for gastro-intestinal anastomoses), and introduction of a system of regular documentation. Rates of postoperative complications were also affected by the individual surgeon's efficiency and techniques.