Regionalization and outcomes of hepato-pancreato-biliary cancer surgery in USA.

BACKGROUND: Recent publications demonstrate regionalization of complex operations to high-volume centers (HVCs) in the USA. We hypothesize that this pattern applies to hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) cancer resections and improved outcomes.

METHODS: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) data were analyzed from 1995-1999(T1) to 2005-2009(T2) for all HPB oncologic resections. Division of hospitals into high-, mid-, and low-volume centers (HVC, MVC, LVC) was performed. Multivariate regression was utilized to identify predictors of LVC resection. Outcomes were compared in both eras.

RESULTS: A total of 45,815 cases met the inclusion criteria (19,250 from T1 and 25,565 from T2). At T1, 32.5% of resections were performed at HVCs and 34.9% at LVCs. At T2, 60.8% were performed at HVCs versus 18.5% at LVCs. In T1, inpatient mortality at HVCs versus LVCs was 3.3% versus 8.67% (p < 0.0001) and 2.7% versus 6.5% (p < 0.0001) in T2. LOS and routine discharge were improved in HVCs, but total charges were higher. All outcomes significantly differed between HVCs and LVCs in multivariate analysis, except for LOS and total charges in T2.

CONCLUSION: The most recent NIS data demonstrate better outcomes in HVCs for HPB oncologic resections. These trends reflect alignment with national recommendations to centralize complex cancer surgery, as well as improved outcomes in all centers.