The effect of operating theatre work on peripheral blood T- and B-lymphocytes was studied by the rosette method. There was no statistically significant difference between operating theatre personnel and the controls in the number of T- and B-lymphocytes. This study supports the view that work in operating theatres does not cause changes in the immune response.

Surgical departments are increasingly put under pressure to improve services, cut waiting lists, increase efficiency and save money. At a district general hospital in the west-midlands we approached the challenge of improving efficiency and optimising the services available in our orthopaedic theatres. Data was collected on: anaesthetic start times, operation start and finish times, and reasons...