Sammanfattning
Introduction: We describe the incidence of pancreaticoduodenectomy in Denmark from 1996 to 2001, including methods and early postoperative outcome. Materials and methods: The National Patient Registry and discharge information from hospitals were examined for the number of pancreaticoduodenectomies performed, the length of postoperative hospital stay, readmissions, postoperative complications, and hospital mortality in the period 1 January 1996 to 31 August 2001. Results: Twelve departments performed 337 pancreaticoduodenectomies. Five departments accounted for 86% of all the operations performed. The average postoperative hospital stay was 22 days. The frequency of surgical complications was 40%, and mortality in hospital was 11.3%. Discussion: Pancreaticoduodenectomy is performed in too many departments in Denmark, and the results are not in accordance with international results. Therefore, it is recommended that the surgery be reorganised to be performed in only three departments.