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Prostatectomy outcomes better at academic institutions
Trinh QD. J Urol. 2011;doi:10.1016/j/juro.2011.06.068.
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Undergoing radical prostatectomy at an academic institution led to better outcomes, including fewer postoperative complications, compared with undergoing the procedure at a non-academic institution.
Researchers examined outcomes of radical prostatectomy performed between 2001 and 2007 at academic institutions compared with non-academic institutions. During that time, 89,965 radical prostatectomies were performed, 58.2% of which were done at academic institutions.
Patients who underwent prostatectomy at an academic institution were more likely to have private insurance and had lower Charlson comorbidity scores (P<.001).
Data indicate that having the procedure done at an academic institution resulted in fewer blood transfusions, fewer postoperative complications and lower rates of hospital stay of more than the median 3 days (see Table).
These advantages remained even after the researchers adjusted for the annual hospital caseload.
No significant difference was found for in-hospital mortality or intraoperative complications.
Despite the results, the researchers said the choice of an academic center does not guarantee better outcomes.
“When an academic institution is chosen, careful selection of the surgeon and the institution regardless of academic affiliation certainly contribute to the observed outcome superiority,” the researchers wrote.