Hepatic resection in Canada: rates and geographic variation.
BACKGROUND
Liver resection (LR) is the only curative therapy for hepatic malignancy. Despite this, the rates of LR across Canada are unknown. We sought to determine the rate and regional variation of LR in Canada, its provinces and census divisions for the period 1995-2004.


METHODS
We obtained discharge data for 1995-2004 from all provinces but Quebec from the Canadian Institute for Health Information, and we searched for LR by residential site. Then we calculated rates and variations in rates.


RESULTS
The national age- and sex-adjusted rate of LR per 100,000 people aged 18 years and older increased from 3.22 in 1995 to 5.86 in 2004. There was a high degree of variation across provinces and census divisions.


CONCLUSIONS
Liver resection volumes are increasing in Canada. Significant regional variation exists for LR in Canada, likely reflecting a variety of important supply-demand issues.
McColl
Ryan J
RJ
Department of Surgery University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta..
Brar
Balpreet
B
Ghali
William A
WA
Dixon
Elijah
E
D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000601:surgery*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*