how can I research doctor success rates etc for my impending surgery?

[beaniebaby25]

Hi everyone

I've been recommended to have some surgery by my ENT specialist, as a follow-up/correction to an operation I had about 10 years ago. I've recently changed specialists from the one who did the original surgery (I moved areas), and I wanted to do some research into my new specialist.

The things I'm looking for are how many times a year he does this specific surgery, and the success rates for these operations.

I want to be fully clued up, as the surgery is close to the facial nerve and I'm terrified something horrible will happen. I need to minimise these risks!!

So - is there some kind of central database online where you can find out these kinds of statistics? I've spent some time online already trying to look but I've not found anything.

Can anyone help me?

try looks at individual consultants or looks at hospital trusts
As far as I am aware, cardiac surgeons are the only group that carry out a mortality and morbidity audit that is available to the public, but the Royal College of Surgeons is pushing for all surgical specialities to introduce a similar system.

ooh thanks stanausauruswrecks. I've had a look at those sites and I can find the specialist, but can't find any information on success rates etc. Perhaps I should just ask him himself where I can find this info? I'd find that embarassing though, like I was checking up on him

any more ideas anyone?

there's a website caled nhs choices that the nhs has set up for people to make comments about and mark the serivces they've recieved. it is relatively new, and in a lot of cases the info is limited to the cleanliness of the hospital and the ease of parking - but it worht a look