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Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery
Published in: Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 11/2009

01-11-2009 | 2009 SSAT Plenary Presentation

National Trends in Esophageal Surgery—Are Outcomes as Good as We Believe?

Authors: Geoffrey Paul Kohn, Joseph Anton Galanko, Michael Owen Meyers, Richard Harry Feins, Timothy Michael Farrell

Published in: Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery | Issue 11/2009

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Abstract

Introduction

Positive volume–outcome relationships in esophagectomy have prompted support for regionalization of care; however, outcomes have not recently been analyzed. This study examines national trends in provision of esophagectomy and reassesses the volume–outcome relationship in light of changing practice patterns and training paradigms.

Methods

The Nationwide Inpatient Sample was queried from 1998 to 2006. Quantification of patients’ comorbidities was made using the Charlson Index. Using logistic regression modeling, institutions’ annual case volumes were correlated with risk-adjusted outcomes over time, as well as presence or absence of fellowship and residency training programs.

Results

A nationwide total of 57,676 esophagectomies were recorded. In-hospital unadjusted mortality fell from 12% to 7%. Adjusting for comorbidities, greater esophagectomy volume was associated with improvements in the incidence of most measured complications, though mortality increased once greater than 100 cases were performed. Hospitals supporting fellowship training or a surgical residency program did not have higher rates of mortality or total complications.

Conclusions

The current national mortality rate of 7% following esophagectomy is higher than is reported in most contemporary case series. A greater annual esophagectomy volume improves outcomes, but only up to a point. Current training paradigms are safe.
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Metadata
Title
National Trends in Esophageal Surgery—Are Outcomes as Good as We Believe?
Authors
Geoffrey Paul Kohn
Joseph Anton Galanko
Michael Owen Meyers
Richard Harry Feins
Timothy Michael Farrell
Publication date
01-11-2009
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery / Issue 11/2009
Print ISSN: 1091-255X
Electronic ISSN: 1873-4626
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-009-1008-2

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