%0 Journal Article
%T Variability in Surgical Quality among Surgeons in Breast Cancer Surgery
%A S. G. D. Gangadaran
%J Advances in Breast Cancer Research
%P 129-135
%@ 2168-1597
%D 2016
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/abcr.2016.54015
%X Introduction:
Quality assurance is an essential aspect of cancer care. Assessment of </span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">s</span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">urgical quality in breast cancer is still evolving.
Variability in surgical care among surgeons has been well documented in
literature and we sought to investigate such variation between two groups of
surgeons referring patients to our oncology center. Methods: A prospective
review of patient records of all breast cancer referrals to our department was
made. Two groups were identified and segregated based on the performance of
mastectomy by a general surgeon (GS) or by a surgical oncologist (SO). Patients
treated with modified radical mastectomy for clinical stages </span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">1 </span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">-</span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\"> 3</span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\"> were included
for the study. Patient demographic data and disease related information were
collected in addition to thorough evaluation of the surgical pathology report.
Margin positivity, mean nodal harvest, nodal ratio, inadequate axillary
clearance, revision surgery and the use of radiotherapy for inadequate nodal
dissection were the parameters evaluated in the study. Results: A total of 142
patient records were evaluated 72 designated as group</span><span style=\"font-family:&quot;\"> </span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">1 (general surgeons) and 70 as group</span><span style=\"font-family:&quot;\"> </span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">2 (surgical oncologist). The median age was 52 years and
both groups were evenly balanced for age, laterality of breast lesion,
histological type and grade.</span><span style=\"font-family:&quot;\"> </span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">The mean nodal
harvest was 8</span><span style=\"font-family:&quot;\"> </span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">vs</span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">. </span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">14 nodes, </span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">and </span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">significant
differences were observed in favor of surgical oncology group in margin
positivity (P</span><span style=\"font-family:&quot;\"> </span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">=</span><span style=\"font-family:&quot;\"> </span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">0.01)</span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">, </span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">inadequate
axillary clearance (P</span><span style=\"font-family:&quot;\"> </span><span
%K Breast Cancer
%K Surgical Quality
%K Mastectomy
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=70162