Krautz C, Grützmann R (2017)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2017
Book Volume: 23
Pages Range: 883-892
Journal Issue: 11
Background. Numerous international studies have identified hospital volume as a significant independent variable of death following complex surgery. Based on these data many countries aimed to centralize complex procedures, such as pancreatic surgery by the introduction of minimum caseload requirements. Objective. To summarize the current body of outcomes research on pancreatic cancer surgery and to investigate international experiences with the centralization of surgical care in this field. Material and methods. A systematic literature search was performed to identify studies that examined volume-outcome relationships and the effects of minimum caseload requirements on care structures and outcomes of pancreatic cancer surgery. Results. Several national and international studies confirmed that patients undergoing pancreatic surgery have better outcomes when treated in facilities with high annual caseloads. In countries with a relevant centralization of care structures impressive improvements of surgical outcomes have been reported. In Germany, a large proportion of hospitals that perform pancreatic surgery still do not meet the minimum caseload requirements. As a result of insufficient centralization in the recent past, mortality rates on the national level in Germany have remained unchanged. Conclusion. In view of the impressive results of other countries, efficient concentration of care structures seems to be the key to improvement of surgical outcomes in pancreatic surgery.
APA:
Krautz, C., & Grützmann, R. (2017). Outcomes research in pancreatic cancer surgery. Onkologe, 23(11), 883-892.
MLA:
Krautz, Christian, and Robert Grützmann. "Outcomes research in pancreatic cancer surgery." Onkologe 23.11 (2017): 883-892.
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