title: Paediatric cardiac surgery.
abstract: We present a short discussion of the literature concerning institutional volume and outcomes for congenital heart surgery. Although there are limitations to some of the studies discussed, all published studies conclude that higher volumes are associated with better outcomes. We then reflect on some of the arguments that can be made in favour of greater centralisation of this practice and some of the arguments that can be made against centralisation.
authors.forename: Victor T
authors.initials: VT
authors.lastname: Tsang
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Leval
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Utley
mesh_terms: D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002497:Centralized Hospital Services; D002648:Child; D002983:Clinical Competence; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016526:Workload