The surgeon as a prognostic factor in the management of pancreatic cancer.
Improved results for pancreatic resection have been attributed to the concentration of pancreatic surgery in high-volume centers. The evidence supporting a relationship between hospital case volume and operative mortality for pancreatectomy is reviewed. The surgeon's case volume does not appear to influence mortality independently, but other surgeon-related characteristics, like specialized training, have not been examined. More research is needed to elucidate the factors that have contributed to reduced mortality for this complex surgery.
Saettler
E B
EB
Department of Surgical Oncology, Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Temple
W J
WJ
D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D010180:Pancreatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000401:mortality / Q000592:standards; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D010819:Physician's Role; D011379:Prognosis; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016526:Workload