This trial evaluates theatre efficiency in hernia surgeries, suggesting that concurrent operations may enhance patient flow and reduce costs.
Objectives Primary: Assess the operational viability of concurrently running two high-volume, low-complexity surgical theatres with a single consultant scrubbed. Secondary:Trial an online pre-operative assessment form.Improve theatre efficiency.Evaluate the feasibility of increasing cases per list. Methods ASA 1 & 2 uncomplicated inguinal and umbilical hernia patients completed an online pre-assessment form. 1 day pre-surgery: Patients attended a 1-hour clinic for consent, nursing documentation, TEDS measurements, and sick notes. Day of Surgery: 13–16 patients were scheduled across two staffed theatres with staggered arrivals. One consultant was present for critical procedure stages across both teams. HIT lists were run twice, and patient experience questionnaires were distributed online. Results Day 1: Theatre One List total time: 6hrs 39 mins (n=7). End time: 15:10 Theatre Two List total time: 5 hrs 47 mins (n=6) End time: 14:30 Day 2: Theatre One List Total time: 6hrs 39 mins (n=8) End time: 16:27 (+30 min lunch) Theatre Two List Total time: 8 hrs 42 mins (n=8) End time: 17:07(+34 min lunch No patients anaesthetised waited for the consultant. Patients ready in holding bay allowed flow. Early documentation and WP10 completion enabled efficient patient flow and discharge. Conclusions This study supports the viability of two high-volume theatres with one consultant, achieving 8 cases per list for low-complexity procedures. Expansion of pre-surgery documentation and PAC 1-day prior can enhance efficiency and reduce costs. Feasibility for higher complexity surgeries remains uncertain.
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Hurt et al. (2025) studied this question.