These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.
Pubmed for Handhelds
PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS
Search MEDLINE/PubMed
Title: Surgeon volume trumps specialty: outcomes from 3596 pediatric cholecystectomies. Author: Chen K, Cheung K, Sosa JA. Journal: J Pediatr Surg; 2012 Apr; 47(4):673-80. PubMed ID: 22498380. Abstract: BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the standard surgical management of biliary disease in children, but there has been a paucity of studies addressing outcomes after pediatric cholecystectomies, particularly on a national level. We conducted the first study to address the effect of surgeon specialty and volume on clinical and economic outcomes after pediatric cholecystectomies on a population level. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study using the Health Care Utilization Project Nationwide Inpatient Sample. Children (≤ 17 years) who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy from 2003 to 2007 were selected. Pediatric surgeons performed 90% or higher of their total cases in children. High-volume surgeons were in the top tertile (n ≥ 37 per year) of total cholecystectomies performed. χ(2), Analyses of variance, and multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses were used to assess in-hospital complications, median length of hospital stay (LOS), and total hospital costs (2007 dollars). RESULTS: A total of 3596 pediatric cholecystectomies were included. Low-volume surgeons had more complications, longer LOS, and higher costs than high-volume surgeons. After adjustment in multivariate regression, surgeon volume, but not specialty, was an independent predictor of LOS and cost. CONCLUSIONS: High-volume surgeons have better outcomes after pediatric cholecystectomy than low-volume surgeons. To optimize outcomes in children after cholecystectomy, surgeon volume and laparoscopic experience should be considered above surgeon specialty.[Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]