The analysis for the causes of surgical cancellations in a Brazilian university hospital.

Background: The aim of our study is to quantify the occurrence of suspension of scheduled surgeries in a Brazilian university hospital, trying to identify the causes of suspension of these operations and meet the medical specialties that most contributed to the cancellation.

Methods: This study takes the form of an exploratory, descriptive, and quantitative enquiry carried out by analyzing the database from 2008 to 2011 of the operating theater.

Results: Of the 29,518 scheduled surgeries, 16.