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January 2003
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When experience counts most

Studies show that certain surgeries and conditions carry a significantly lower risk of mortality in hospitals that see many such cases. Other surgeries don't seem to be as dependent on volume.

DIFFERENCES IN MORTALITY RISK BETWEEN LOW- AND HIGH-VOLUME HOSPITALS

Significant difference
(more than 5 percent)

AIDS
Esophageal-cancer surgery
Pancreatic-cancer surgery
Pediatric heart surgery
Repair brain aneurysm
Repair ruptured abdominal    aortic aneurysm
Stomach-cancer surgery

Moderate difference
(1 to 5 percent)

Colorectal-cancer surgery
Heart attack
Lung-cancer surgery
Repair unruptured abdominal    aortic aneurysm
Transurethral-prostate removal

Little difference
(less than 1 percent)

Carotid endarterectomy
Coronary angioplasty
Hip-fracture repair
Open-prostate removal
Total hip replacement
Total knee replacement

 Source: Annals of Internal Medicine, Sept. 17, 2002