[Ovarian cancer in Denmark. Status of the surgical intervention]

Abstract

Introduction: In Denmark women have not only one of the highest risks of ovarian cancer but also the highest mortality rate. The primary surgery is a key factor in the outcome.

Materials and methods: Surgery for the treatment of ovarian cancer in Denmark was evaluated for the period from 1 July 2002 to 31 December 2003 using data from the Danish National Patient Registry (Landspatientregisteret, LPR) as well as the letter with the discharge note. The analysis included all primary surgical procedures during this period where information about number of surgical procedures per department, post-operative hospital stay, complications and mortality were obtained.

Results: 765 women, mean age 61 years (range 5-96 years), were operated on for ovarian cancer. The operations were distributed among 52 different hospital departments, and the surgery for advanced stage III patients took place in 32 different departments. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 9.0 days; 28% experienced one or more complications, and 8.1% were reoperated. The mortality rate was 4.2%.

Conclusion: This first nationwide evaluation of surgery for ovarian cancer in Denmark showed that the surgery took place in far more hospital departments than the five recommended by the Danish National Board of Health. There seems to be room for improvement of quality, and a plan for the next five years is presented.