Ethnic and economic disparities effect on management of hyperparathyroidism

- Certain demographics are at a higher risk of management by low-volume surgeon.
- Imbalance in the distribution of low-volume surgeons.
- Low-volume surgeons more likely to have unfavorable post-surgical outcomes.

BackgroundSuccessful parathyroidectomy requires advanced surgeon experience. We aim to examine population characteristics at risk of being managed by low-volume surgeons.MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed utilizing the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database, 2004 to 2009. The study population included adult inpatients who underwent parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism.ResultsA total of 3,503 discharge records were included. Men, Hispanics, and those with Medicaid/Medicare health coverage were more likely to be managed by low-volume surgeons (P < .05 each). Low-volume surgeons were more likely to operate in rural (odds ratio [OR], 3.99; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.95 to 8.16; P < .001) or nonteaching hospitals (OR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.42 to 3.27; P < .001). Southern region of the United States had a high prevalence of low-volume surgeons compared with other regions (Southern: 51.3%, Northeast: 24.3%, Midwest: 25.6%, and West: 27.6%, P < .001). Operations by the low-volume surgeons associated with a higher risk of postoperative complications (OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.11 to 2.97) and a hospital stay more than 2 days (OR, 7.12; 95% CI, 3.75 to 13.45; P < .001).ConclusionsCertain populations are at risk of management by low-volume surgeons based on their demographic and economic characteristics.