Work

Impact of Employing a Specialist Hepatobiliary Surgeon on Practice and Early Outcomes of Pancreatic Surgery in a Tertiary Centre in North Queensland

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Before April 2018, major pancreatic surgeries were performed by non-hepatobiliary general surgery specialists in Townsville University Hospital and Townsville Mater Pimlico, which are two major teaching hospitals in North Queensland. However, since April 2018, two specialist hepatopancreaticobiliary (HPB) surgeons have performed most of the pancreatic operations. This study aimed to compare surgical practices and early outcomes before and after employing HPB surgeons in our region. METHOD: This retrospective study included all patients who underwent pancreatic surgery at the Townsville University Hospital and Mater Pimlico between January 2013 and December 2024. Data were collected from the patient charts and private surgical audits. The primary endpoints were 90-day mortality, 90-day morbidity (Clavien-Dindo IIIb and IV), and an R1 resection margin of < 1 mm. The comparison of interest was between 2013-2017 and 2018-2024. Referral patterns were also observed. RESULTS: Pancreatic surgery was performed by non-HPB surgeons in 112 patients and HPB surgeons in 166 patients. There was no significant difference in 90-day mortality (7.7% vs. 4.0%), 90-day morbidity (15.4% vs. 11.5%), or R1 resection margins (24.4% vs. 25.0%) between the two periods. However, the number of complex pancreatic surgeries with vascular reconstruction (5.1% vs. 9.0%) and referrals from adjacent health regions (8.9% vs. 24.0%) increased. CONCLUSION: The employment of a dedicated HPB surgeon has increased the number and complexity of pancreatic surgical cases, with no significant changes in the overall morbidity, mortality, or R1 resection rates. It has also resulted in more referrals from adjacent health regions.

Source: ANZ Journal of Surgery

DOI: 10.1111/ans.70386

Authors: Bardia Bidarmaghz, Ruth Clun, Tejminder S. Sidhu, Emma Ballard, Matan Ben‐David

Institutions: The University of Queensland, Townsville Hospital, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute

Language: English

Topic: Pancreatic and Hepatic Oncology Research

Subfield: Oncology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

OpenAlex ID: W4416103190

FWCI:

Cites: 32

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