Outcome audit in plastic surgery: the Cambridge Classification.

Plastic Surgery Outcome Audit has until now been limited to studies of individual conditions. The Department of Plastic Surgery at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, has developed an objective outcome classification applicable to all plastic surgery procedures. The four end-result categories--aesthetic appearance; physical function; tumour clearance; and surgical complications--are each graded in clear stages from 1 (excellent result) to 4 (result requiring re-operation) in a system which is easy to apply to every patient. The development and potential use of this classification are discussed. The Cambridge Classification is used in conjunction with diagnostic codes, which can be simple like the Logbook codes used by British Trainees or more complex, such as Read codes.