Surgery for oesophageal cancer at Galway University Hospital 1993-2008.
BACKGROUND
Surgical volume and outcome remain controversial in the management of oesophageal cancer.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the outcome of oesophagectomy for cancer at Galway University Hospital (GUH).


METHODS
Between 1994 and 2008, patients who underwent oesophagectomy were analysed.


RESULTS
During the study period, 126 oesophagectomies were performed for cancer. The average surgeon volume was 9 cases per year. The 30-day and overall in-hospital mortality rates were 6.3 and 7.9%, respectively. Restructuring of our critical care services has led to a reduction in 30-day mortality from 8.2 to 5.1%. The use of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy has increased from 17 to 35% during the study period. In patients who underwent resection, the 3 and 5-year overall survival rates were 45 and 29%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Operative morbidity and mortality at GUH are comparable with worldwide outcomes. Improved resources and national restructuring of cancer services have significantly improved the quality of care and outcomes of patients.
Chang
K H
KH
Department of Surgery, Galway University Hospital, National University of Ireland, Galway, Republic of Ireland. kahhoong_chang@yahoo.co.uk
McAnena
O J
OJ
Smith
M J
MJ
Salman
R R
RR
Khan
M F
MF
Lowe
D
D
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis