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Introduction: Implementation of the principles of a fast-track surgical programme resulted in a decrease in the length of hospital stay after open nephrectomies. The aim of this study was to describe the regional distribution of nephrectomies, postoperative hospital stay and mortality., Material and Methods: This study was based on data extracted from the Danish National Patient Registry for the 2000-2009-period., Results: A total of 6,790 nephrectomies were performed. The mean postoperative stay and mortality decreased from 10.1 days and 2.6% during the 2000-2004-period to 8.3 days (p > 0.05) and 1.7% (p < 0.05) during the 2005-2009-period. A significant decrease in length of postoperative stay (6.4 versus 9.0 days; p < 0.05) and mortality (0.9% versus 2.1%; p < 0.05) was found between laparoscopic and open nephrectomies, respectively, during the 2005-2009-period. Nephrectomies performed by laparoscopic technique rose from 7.6% to 30.8% (p < 0.05) and laparoscopic nephroureterectomies from 1.7% to 10.3% (p < 0.05) from the 2000-2004-period to the 2005-2009-period., Conclusion: We recommend the implementation of fast-track surgery programmes to further decrease postoperative stay and mortality. A further increase in the use of laparoscopy is warranted.

The objective of this prospective study was to evaluate CA-125 and a 7-marker panel as predictors of incomplete primary cytoreduction in patients with stage III/IV ovarian cancer (OC). From September 2004 to January 2008, serum from 201 patients referred to surgery for a pelvic tumor was analyzed for CA-125. In addition, serum was analyzed for 7 biomarkers using surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. These biomarkers were combined into a single-valued ovarian-cancer-risk index (OvaRI). CA-125 and OvaRI were evaluated as predictors of cytoreduction in 75 stage III/IV patients using receiver operating characteristic curves. Complete primary cytoreduction (no macroscopic residual disease) was achieved in 31% (23/75) of the patients. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.66 for CA-125 and 0.75 for OvaRI. The sensitivity and specificity of CA-125 for predicting incomplete cytoreduction were 71% (37/52) and 57% (13/23), respectively (P = 0.04). The sensitivity and specificity of OvaRI for predicting incomplete cytoreduction were 73% (38/52) and 70% (16/23), respectively (P = 0.001). In conclusion, CA-125 and an index of 7 biomarkers were found to be predictors of cytoreduction. However, future studies of biomarkers are anticipated to promote early diagnosis and provide prognostic information to guide treatment of OC patients. In addition, new biomarkers might also play a role in predicting outcome from primary surgery in OC patients.