One in four loop ileostomies performed to defunction an elective anterior resection is not reversed, and in the presence of significant comorbidity one in three is not reversed. Only 12% is reversed within 12 weeks.

Conversion after laparoscopic cholecystectomy is less common as consultant caseload increases. This suggests that operation should be undertaken only by surgeons with an adequate caseload. There is a wide variation in conversion rates among hospitals. This has important implications for training as well as for the organization and accreditation of cholecystectomy services on a national basis.

Introduction Hartmann's procedure is widely used in the management of complicated diverticular disease and for colorectal cancer. Very little national data are available about the reasons for performing this procedure and the reversal rate.

Early cholecystectomy for acute gallbladder disease is not widely practised by surgeons in England. Open cholecystectomy is more commonly used in the emergency than in the elective setting. Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy following an emergency admission carries a higher conversion rate than elective cholecystectomy.