High-Volume Centers Provide Superior Value of Care in the Surgical Treatment of Malignant Brain Tumor

• Published in: World neurosurgery 2024-03, Vol.183, p.e787-e795
• Main Authors: Vazquez, Sima, Dominguez, Jose F., Wu, Eva, Spirollari, Eris, Soldozy, Sauson, Ivan, Michael E., Merenzon, Martin, Hanft, Simon J., Komotar, Ricardo J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Brain tumor; High volume; High-volume centers; Outcomes; Value of care
• ISSN: 1878-8750; 1878-8769; 1878-8769
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2024.01.030

Improved outcomes in surgical patients have been associated with increasing volume of cases. This has led to the development of centers that facilitate care for a specific patient population. This study aimed to evaluate associations of outcomes with hospital characteristics in patients undergoing resection of malignant brain tumors. The 2016–2020 National Inpatient Sample was queried for patients undergoing resection of malignant brain tumors. Teaching hospitals with caseloads >2 standard deviations above the mean (140 cases) were categorized as high-volume centers (HVCs). Value of care was evaluated by adding one point for each of the following: short length of stay, low total charges, favorable discharge disposition, and lack of major comorbidity or complication. In 3009 hospitals, 118,390 patients underwent resection of malignant brain tumors. HVC criteria were met by 91 (3%) hospitals. HVCs were more likely to treat patients of younger age or higher socioeconomic status (P