[Documentation problems in anesthesiology and gynecology?].

INTRODUCTION

The number of beds in surgical wards is declining. Whether the reason is more outpatient surgery or quicker recovery, owing to better perioperative care is unknown.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A questionnaire was sent to all gynaecological and anaesthetic departments in Denmark concerning the treatment of women who had had a hysterectomy for non-malignant disease. The following questions were asked: What were the numbers of patients operated on in 1998, the methods of operation, duration of admission, the surgeon in charge, information about admission and postoperative management of patients, choice of anaesthesia and treatment of postoperative pain.

RESULTS

The chief surgical method was abdominal hysterectomy. There were relatively few vaginal or laparoscopically assisted hysterectomies. The duration of admission varied considerably. Patients mostly were given written information about admission and the postoperative course. Postoperative follow-up was relatively uncommon. The duration of admission was not influenced by the anaesthetic method. Seventeen of 31 anaesthetic departments knew the number of patients anaesthetised for hysterectomy in 1998 and the anaesthetic methods.

DISCUSSION

This study cannot answer the question: How does the method of operation, choice of anaesthesia, postoperative analgesia, and information to the patient affect the duration of admission? Data allowing a discussion of the quality of the treatment were not available. There is a serious lack of registration.