The issue of surgical mortality is studied using two February 2004 British Medical Journal articles — one investigating the problems associated with statistical monitoring of surgical performance, and the other describing the impact of surgical death on health care providers. This editorial by de Leval uses both articles to develop answers to questions related to the emotional impact on health professionals from the death of a surgical patient, specifically the impact on surgeons, and investigates both long- and short-term affects on overall performance.

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