Why the postoperative mortality rate of gastric cancer is lower in our center

Background/ Aims: There was obvious disparity in postoperative mortality rate of gastric cancer surgery among different centers. We analyzed the postoperative complications of gastric cancer surgery at a pioneer surgical center in China and discussed the possible reason behind lower postoperative mortality rate at this center. Methodology: A total of 697 patients of gastric cancer surgery were analyzed. The median age of the patients was 58 years. POSSUM (Physiological and operative severity score for the enumeration of morbidity and mortality) was applied to calculate risk adjusted morbidity rate. Results: About 82 percent patients were discharged uneventfully in less than 15 days after surgery. Overall 159 patients had postoperative complications, majority of complication were mild or moderate, only about 4 percent of patients had severe complications. Postoperative anastomotic leak and mortality rate was 1.3 and 0.3 percent respectively. Conclusion: the postoperative complications especially the mortality rate was significantly lower in our center. The clinical and surgical experience may have influenced the surgical outcome; however, a well controlled prospective study is necessary to postulate this assumption. Regardless of the reason behind the disparity in postoperative mortality rate among different centers, it is mandatory to minimize the postoperative mortality rate of oncological disease like gastric cancer.