Early and mid-term outcomes of surgery of the ascending aorta/arch: is there a relationship with caseload?
Objectives: The relationship between caseload and early outcome remains a subject for debate in cardiac surgery. Surgery of the thoracic aorta is an area of specialist expertise within the adult cardiac surgical field. There is, however, a conflict between the concentration of expertise and the provision of effective emergency cover. This study evaluates the early and mid-term outcomes of patients undergoing surgery of the ascending aorta/aortic arch in a single institution and compares the results of a single higher volume surgeon with lower volume operators. Methods: From March 1992 till August 2003, 296 procedures were carried out on 291 patients (aged 17 80, median 62) who underwent operations for replacement of the ascending aorta/aortic arch. One hundred and thirty procedures were carried out by the higher volume surgeon and 160 by one of the six lower volume surgeons (range 10 57). Emergency operation was performed in 138 (47%) patients. One or more other associated cardiac proc
Related Questions
- What is the relationship between the SF-36® and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) in studies of outcomes of rehabilitation services?
- I understand that a colonoscopy could find an early colon cancer. Wouldn’t I need surgery and a colostomy if they found colon cancer?
- Early and mid-term outcomes of surgery of the ascending aorta/arch: is there a relationship with caseload?
