People should not have surgery in the evenings, new research suggests. Photto: Shutterstock/S_L
Michigan, US (BBN) - People should not have surgery in the evenings, new research suggests.
The risk of suffering complications increases by more than 50 percent for operations starting between 9pm and 7am, a study found, reports Daily Mail.
Such complications are also significantly more likely to be severe if the surgery taking place during this time frame is an emergency, as opposed to being scheduled in advance, the research adds.
This builds on previous research that reveals procedures performed outside of 'expected' hours, such as operations that occur on weekends, are more likely to have errors.
Lead author Dr Aditya Pandey from the University of Michigan, said: 'Could it mean that health systems need to invest more with respect to increasing the number of surgical teams and operating rooms to allow for greater proportion of surgeries to be performed during day hours and that urgent cases should be stabilised and performed during day hours?'
HUMAN-LIKE 3D VERTEBRATE THAT ALLOWS SURGEONS TO PRACTICE OPERATIONS MAY BE AVAILABLE NEXT YEAR
A human-like 3D vertebrate that allows surgeons to practice life-saving spinal operations could be available next year.
The model is intended to increase doctor's confidence at performing such procedures by allowing them to investigate patients' spines in a risk-free environment before undergoing the operation, according to the researchers.
Patients should be assured their surgeon is aware of their specific ailment, with the model hopefully one day being able to be personalised to reflect people's specific condition, such as osteoporosis or sports injuries, they add.
Joe Meeks from Nottingham Trent University, who is carrying out the research, told MailOnline: 'From a patient's perspective, a lot of mystery goes into surgery. They can be assured the surgeon knows what your spine looks and feels like. It gives the surgeon and patient confidence.
'Surgeons will be much more confident because they’ve practiced these procedures before in a nice, safe environment where there’s no life or death situation.'
HOW THE RESEARCH WAS CARRIED OUT
The researchers analyzed 15,807 patients who underwent brain surgery between January 1 2007 and August 1 2014 at their university.
Some 785 complications were reported by surgeons.
RISK INCREASES BY MORE THAN 50% FOR LATE-NIGHT SURGERIES
Results reveal the risk of suffering complications increases by more than 50 percent for surgeries starting between 9pm and 7am.
Such complications are also significantly more likely to be severe if the surgery taking place during this time frame is an emergency, as opposed to being scheduled in advance.
This builds on previous research that reveals procedures performed outside of 'expected' hours, such as operations that occur on weekends, are more likely to have errors.
Dr Pandey said: 'We need to continue to study this relationship as we aim to minimize surgery related complications.
'Could it mean that health systems need to invest more with respect to increasing the number of surgical teams and operating rooms to allow for greater proportion of surgeries to be performed during day hours and that urgent cases should be stabilised and performed during day hours?
'These are important questions that must be raised as we continue to solidify the relationship between surgical start time and surgical complications.'
The findings were published in the journal Neurosurgery.
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