Short term outcomes and unintended benefits of establishing a HPB program at a university-affiliated community hospital

In hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgery higher volumes are associated with improved outcomes; however, there are limitations to regionalization. Here we report our experience establishing multidisciplinary HPB program at a university-affiliated community hospital.This is a retrospective review of patients who underwent HPB surgery between 2015 and 2017. Chief residents' HPB case logs were collected.61 pancreatic resections and 62 hepatic resections were performed. The morbidity, 30-day mortality and median length of stay following pancreatic resections were 27%, 1.5%, and 8 days, respectively. The morbidity, 90-day mortality, and median length of stay following hepatic resections were 24%, 3%, and 7 days, respectively. The median pancreatic and liver case volumes for graduating chief residents increased from 7 to 8 to 16 and 16, respectively (p 0.05), after the establishment of a HPB program. Participation in multidisciplinary care (p = 0.08) and clinical trial enrollment increased.Our study demonstrates short-term outcomes comparable to high volume centers. Development of a HPB program had a positive impact on resident operative experience, increased multidisciplinary care and increased clinical trial enrollment.