paywalled: Evaluation of Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (SGO) Ovarian Cancer Quality Surgical Measures

Evaluation of Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (SGO) Ovarian Cancer Quality Surgical Measures: Publication year: 2012

Source: Gynecologic Oncology



Objectives
The Society of Gynecologic Oncologists has developed two measures to assess & improve the surgical care of patients with ovarian cancer (1) description of residual disease following cytoreduction and (2) adequacy of surgical staging. Our aim was to establish baseline surgeon compliance with these two measures.

Methods
A retrospective review of patients with ovarian, fallopian tube or peritoneal cancer undergoing surgery between 7/1/2006 and 7/1/2011 for the purposes of staging and/or cytoreduction was performed at the University of Washington and Geisinger Medical Center. Operative and pathology reports were reviewed to obtain information pertaining to stage, histology, residual disease after surgery and the extent of surgical staging.

Results 
537 cases were identified; 91% with ovarian cancer. 61% of patients had at least stage IIIC disease; 15% had recurrent disease and 16% had neoadjuvant therapy. For patients with stage I-IIIB disease, 74% had full surgical staging, 10% did not have full surgical staging but documented the reason for this in the operative report; 15% did not have full surgical staging, no reason was noted. 25% of all operative reports lacked documentation of residual disease with 40% documenting no gross residual disease, 18% with residual disease<1cm and 18% had suboptimal debulking with>1cm disease remaining. There was a statistically significant increase in appropriate documentation of amount of residual disease over time (p<0.001).

Conclusions
 Our study sets benchmarks for evaluation of documentation in gynecologic oncology centers. Improved documentation and staging will allow for equivalent standards of care across institutions.