Low Volume Surgeons Lead to Poorer Outcomes

(October 5, 2016) A new analysis published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology determined the impact of gynecologic surgeon volumes on patient outcomes. Reviewing fourteen studies that involved over 700,000 women, the researchers found that low-volume surgeons (categorized as those performing the procedure approximately once a month or less) were found to have higher rates of adverse outcomes in gynecology, gynecologic oncology, and urogynecology. Importantly, low volume surgeons were associated with higher mortality in gynecologic oncology. One report found that among women undergoing surgery for ovarian cancer, 5-year survival was significantly higher with high-volume surgeons.

This study stresses the importance of women with suspected cases of ovarian cancer seeking treatment by a gynecologic oncologist at a medical center with expertise and experience treating a high volume of ovarian cancer patients.

For more information, visit Medscape and read the abstract.