Analysis of the Incidence and Reasons for Temporary Cancellation of Day Surgery: A Retrospective Study.

Purpose: To investigate the incidence and causes of cancellation of day surgery.

Design: This study was a retrospective, observational study and the clinical data were obtained from electronic medical records.

Methods: Data of day surgery from March 1, 2023 to February 29, 2024 were collected in the major operating room in Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, including patients' general conditions, diagnoses, anesthesia methods, and whether surgery was performed. The incidence of surgery cancellation in different ages, genders, departments, and anesthesia methods was analyzed comprehensively.

Findings: A total of 6,397 cases were scheduled, 211 cases were canceled after scheduling; the cancellation rate was 3.3%. The cancellation rate among different age groups (P < .01) was statistically significant with 6 to 17 years old as the lowest 1.30% (11/844), and over 65 years old as the highest 3.74% (20/535). The cancellation rate among different departments was statistically significant (P < .01) with plastic surgery as the lowest 2.06% (2/97) and neurosurgery as the highest 10.13% (8/79). The cancellation rate between different anesthesia methods was statistically significant (P < .05) with general anesthesia as 3.01% (140/4,654) and local anesthesia as 4.07% (71/1743). There was no statistically significant difference between different genders (P > .05). Medical reasons were the main reason for cancellation 65.2% (138/211).

Conclusions: The rate of cancellation is higher in elderly patients and local anesthesia patients and neurosurgery patients with day surgery. Medical reasons were the main cause of these cancellations, most of which could be avoided.