The problem isn't a good vet trying to keep up on his/her emergency skills. The problem is places like Banfield where the vets are mediocre at best and have "time allotments" that each surgery spays and neuters alike are to take....
Then there is the generalized ego fest that can occur when bragging rites take over higher brain functioning....
My vet neutered 6 of my kittens on tuesday. I don't care if it took him 20 minutes or 3 hours. I care if he did the best job he could. That's what I pay for. It would be more critical that that spleen comes out in 10 minutes but then the next day so do the animals intestines through sloppy suturing than it take a little longer and done correctly. Twice under anesthesia is worse than once twice as long.
It's a practice that shouldn't be encouraged or glorified.

Emily, re:

"best speed of operating for the animal is an optimum not a minimum . . . "

You said it better than I could have. Thanks. The issue with those surgeries is the idea of making speed a competition -- anyway, rather than elaborate, I will reiterate that you said it all.

Re: Pearl's spinal surgery (case in virtual hospital). Between the MRI & surgery, she was "out" for a very long time, as long as my 'significant other' was out for his spinal surgery. I was very concerned of detrimental effects of long anesthesia, but am happy to say there has never been any change (of personality, mental dullness, etc. ) . I can't bring myself to say the same for my 'other', though. (perhaps long-term effects of pain medication, too)

I say swiftness appropriate to skill AND surgical procedure!