Changes in the workload composition in a plastic surgery unit over a 12 year period.

[BACKGROUND] Guidelines issued by the British Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons suggest that the ratio of elective to emergency cases in plastic surgery units should be 2:1.

[AIM] To investigate how the workload composition of a regional plastic surgery unit compared with these guidelines.

[METHODS] The changes in the workload composition of a regional plastic surgery unit were examined by retrospectively analysing all plastic and reconstructive surgery cases performed over 12 years (1998-2009).

[RESULTS] This time period saw a change from a 1:2 ratio of elective to trauma procedures, to the recommended ratio, at a time when the overall caseload increased by almost 40 % (3,281 procedures in 1998 to 4,529 procedures in 2009).

[CONCLUSION] Expansion of staff numbers at consultant and non-consultant grades, and increased resources (allocated theatre sessions and outpatient clinics) were pivotal to this change.