The StuDoQ| Pancreas Registry of the German Association for General and Visceral Surgery - a Multi-Institutional Tool for Quality Assessment and Outcomes Research in Pancreas Surgery. The Example of the Non-Functional Neuroendocrine Pancreatic Tumors (NF-pNET)

The number of pancreatic resections performed for various pathologies, and especially neuroendocrine tumors (pNET), has been increasing over the last decades. Morbidity remains high, and emerging indications like palliative surgery of neuroendocrine pancreas tumors carry an increased operative and perioperative risk. Furthermore, minimal-invasive approaches are increasingly applied in pancreatic surgery. Several analyses have demonstrated a significant volume-outcome relationship in pancreatic surgery. Data regarding pancreatic surgery outside of the specialized center setting and regarding minimal invasive techniques remains limited. With the aim to establish a tool for national quality assessment and outcomes research, the German Association for General and Visceral Surgery (DGAV) established the StuDoQ| Pancreas registry. An array of baseline and risk factors was selected from review of the current literature. Details of the surgical procedure were included, covering the whole spectrum of pancreatic resection and palliative procedures. During the first 2 years after implementation, more than 40 German surgery departments have joined the registry. Initial analyses demonstrate validity of risk factors and feasibility of outcomes research including minimal invasive procedures, as well as the potential for randomized registry trials. Our aim was to demonstrate the registry as a potent aid to investigate neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas. It is devoted to become a powerful international tool for quality control and the implementation of large studies; thus, participation of international members is welcomed.