Analysis of Pulmonary Surgery in Children and Adolescents in Germany: Who Is doing What?

INTRODUCTION  In Germany, pediatric surgery is organized in a decentralized manner. A nationwide clinical registry does not exist. The aim of this research is to analyze the current status of pulmonary surgery in the country in respect of children and adolescents. MATERIALS AND METHODS  Claims data have been extracted from two health insurance databases representing 34% of the German population. Operative diagnoses and procedures, as well as patients' characteristics, were recorded from 2016 to 2019. RESULTS  The incidence of the four index diagnoses investigated matched the current literature in three of four entities. The main indications 14 years. The majority of lung resections are performed as VATS. Patients ≤14 years are predominantly operated on by pediatric surgeons. The accessibility of pediatric pulmonary surgery is acceptable, but there is a low caseload per center.