[Gastric resection for cancer in Denmark, 1999-2004].
BACKGROUND
We evaluated the organisation, management and outcome for patients operated on with gastric resection for cancer in Denmark in the period 1999-2003.


METHODS
Nationwide data based on the National Patient Registry and discharge information from hospital departments in the period 1 January 1999 to 31 December 2003 were analysed.


RESULTS
Thirty-seven departments performed 537 resections, with an average of 20 departments per year performing such operations. Five departments performed 57.2% of the operations, while 20 departments performed 10.2%. The average postoperative stay was 18 days and the hospital mortality rate was 8.2%, equally distributed with 7.8% for Billroth II resections and 8.5% for total gastrectomy.


CONCLUSIONS
The organization of gastric cancer surgery in Denmark in 1999-2003 was not optimal, with about 20 departments performing about 100 gastric resections annually, and with a mortality rate of slightly over 8% and an average hospital stay of 18 days. We propose that in future, gastric resections for cancer should be performed in a maximum of five departments nationwide.
Lauritsen
Morten
M
Sundhedsstyrelsen, CEMTV, København S.
Bendixen
Anette
A
Jensen
Lone Susanne
LS
Svendsen
Lars Bo
LB
Kehlet
Henrik
H
D002497:Centralized Hospital Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000379:methods / Q000401:mortality / Q000592:standards; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality; D012042:Registries; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D013503:Surgery Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016896:Treatment Outcome