Kurmann, AnitaAnitaKurmannKeller, S.S.KellerTschan-Semmer, F.F.Tschan-SemmerSeelandt, J.J.SeelandtSemmer, Norbert KarlNorbert KarlSemmer0000-0002-7686-6914Candinas, DanielDanielCandinasBeldi, GuidoGuidoBeldi0000-0002-9914-38072024-10-232024-10-232014-12https://boris-portal.unibe.ch/handle/20.500.12422/130926BACKGROUND: The quality of surgical performance depends on the technical skills of the surgical team as well as on non-technical skills, including teamwork. The present study evaluated the impact of familiarity among members of the surgical team on morbidity in patients undergoing elective open abdominal surgery. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed to compare the surgical outcomes of patients who underwent major abdominal operations between the first month (period I) and the last month (period II) of a 6-month period of continuous teamwork (stable dyads of one senior and one junior surgeon formed every 6 months). Of 117 patients, 59 and 58 patients underwent operations during period I and period II, respectively, between January 2010 and June 2012. Team performance was assessed via questionnaire by specialized work psychologists; in addition, intraoperative sound levels were measured. RESULTS: The incidence of overall complications was significantly higher in period I than in period II (54.2 vs. 34.5 %; P = 0.041). Postoperative complications grade <3 were significantly more frequently diagnosed in patients who had operations during period I (39.0 vs. 15.5 %; P = 0.007), whereas no between-group differences in grade ≥3 complications were found (15.3 vs. 19.0 %; P = 0.807). Concentration scores from senior surgeons were significantly higher in period II than in period I (P = 0.033). Sound levels during the middle third part of the operations were significantly higher in period I (median above the baseline 8.85 dB [range 4.5-11.3 dB] vs. 7.17 dB [5.24-9.43 dB]; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Team familiarity improves team performance and reduces morbidity in patients undergoing abdominal surgery.en100 - Philosophy::150 - Psychology300 - Social sciences, sociology & anthropology600 - Technology::610 - Medicine & healtharticle10.7892/boris.654102498903010.1007/s00268-014-2680-2