Low Annual Caseloads of United States Surgeons Conducting Radical Prostatectomy Journal Article
| Authors: | Savage, C. J.; Vickers, A. J. |
| Article Title: | Low Annual Caseloads of United States Surgeons Conducting Radical Prostatectomy |
| Abstract: | Purpose: It has been clearly demonstrated that surgeons with increased yearly caseloads have lower complication rates. Moreover it has been shown that a surgeon needs to conduct at least 250 radical prostatectomies to maximize cancer control (the surgical learning curve). Materials and Methods: To determine typical annual radical prostatectomy caseloads of surgeons in the United States we analyzed data from 2 independent data sets for 2005, that of a nationally representative sample (Nationwide Inpatient Sample) and a complete record of all hospital discharges from New York State (Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System). Results: More than 25% of United States surgeons conducting radical prostatectomy in 2005 performed only a single procedure. Approximately 80% of surgeons performed fewer than 10 procedures per year and, thus, are unlikely to reach the plateau of the learning curve during their surgical career. Conclusions: The current pattern of surgical treatment for prostate cancer leads to many patients being treated by surgeons with low annual caseloads, with likely poorer outcomes as a result. © 2009 American Urological Association. |
| Keywords: | controlled study; surgical technique; major clinical study; united states; prostate cancer; prostatic neoplasms; prostatectomy; surgeon; workload; hospital discharge; cancer control; health care planning |
| Journal Title: | Journal of Urology |
| Volume: | 182 |
| Issue: | 6 |
| ISSN: | 0022-5347 |
| Publisher: | Elsevier Science, Inc. |
| Date Published: | 2009-12-01 |
| Start Page: | 2677 |
| End Page: | 2681 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.juro.2009.08.034 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| PMCID: | PMC2860275 |
| PUBMED: | 19836787 |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | --- - "Cited By (since 1996): 4" - "Export Date: 30 November 2010" - "CODEN: JOURA" - "Source: Scopus" |
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