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Correspondence
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Volume 350:1256-1258 March 18, 2004 Number 12
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Surgeon Volume and Operative Mortality

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by Kizer, K. W.
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by Birkmeyer, J. D.
-PubMed Citation
To the Editor: Birkmeyer et al. (Nov. 27 issue)1 demonstrated that an individual surgeon's volume was a better predictor of lower mortality for certain high-risk operations than hospital volume. Kizer, in an accompanying editorial,2 interpreted these data to conclude that patients and health plans should preferentially choose high-volume surgeons for certain procedures or should at least avoid low-volume surgeons.

As a surgeon and surgical educator, I do not doubt the validity of the data reported by Birkmeyer et al., nor do I disagree with Kizer's recommendations. However, we must remember that every high-volume surgeon began practice as a low-volume surgeon, . . . [Full Text of this Article]



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