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Procedures

This chart gives a general overview of surgeries in the Procendi database, including what the procedure involves, why it may be recommended, and who usually performs it.

Please note: This information is meant to help you understand what to expect and to support conversations with your doctor or care team. Recovery experiences can vary widely depending on your overall health, age, other medical conditions, and the specific details of your surgery. This is not a substitute for medical advice—always rely on your surgeon or healthcare provider for personalized guidance.

Abdominal Hernia Repair

General Surgeon

What It Is: Fixes a weak spot in the belly wall where tissue pushes through. Examples: umbilical hernia, ventral hernia.
Why It's Done: Pain, bulge, or risk of bowel getting trapped.

Appendectomy

General Surgeon

What It Is: Removes the appendix when it's inflamed.
Why It's Done: Appendicitis (emergency, risk of rupture).

Gallbladder Removal (Cholecystectomy)

General Surgeon

What It Is: Removes the gallbladder, often for gallstones.
Why It's Done: Gallstones, infection, gallbladder attacks.

Colon Surgery

Colorectal or General Surgeon

What It Is: Removes part of the large intestine. Examples: partial colectomy, hemicolectomy.
Why It's Done: Colon cancer, diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease.

Gastric Bypass

Bariatric Surgeon

What It Is: Weight-loss surgery making the stomach smaller and rerouting intestines.
Why It's Done: Severe obesity, diabetes, weight-related health problems.

Hiatal Hernia Repair

General or Thoracic Surgeon

What It Is: Fixes stomach slipping into chest through the diaphragm.
Why It's Done: Heartburn, reflux, trouble swallowing.

Hysterectomy

Gynecologist / OB-GYN

What It Is: Removes the uterus (sometimes ovaries too).
Why It's Done: Fibroids, cancer, endometriosis, heavy bleeding.

Inguinal Hernia Repair

General Surgeon

What It Is: Fixes a bulge in the groin caused by tissue pushing through.
Why It's Done: Groin pain, bulge, risk of intestine getting trapped.

Lap Band Removal

Bariatric Surgeon

What It Is: Removes a weight-loss band from the stomach.
Why It's Done: Band complications, poor weight loss results.

Lung Resection

Thoracic Surgeon

What It Is: Removes part or all of a lung. Examples: lobectomy, pneumonectomy.
Why It's Done: Lung cancer, infections, severe lung disease.

Other Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric Surgeon

What It Is: Complex weight-loss surgeries (e.g., duodenal switch, revisions).
Why It's Done: Severe obesity or failed prior weight-loss surgery.

Pancreas Surgery (Pancreatectomy)

HPB Specialist Surgeon

What It Is: Removes part or all of the pancreas.
Why It's Done: Pancreatic cancer, cysts, severe pancreatitis.

Prostate Surgery (Prostatectomy)

Urologist

What It Is: Removes part or all of the prostate.
Why It's Done: Prostate cancer, enlarged prostate causing blockage.

Rectal Surgery

Colorectal Surgeon

What It Is: Treats rectal cancer, prolapse, or bowel disease.
Why It's Done: Rectal cancer, bowel disease, rectal prolapse.

Sleeve Gastrectomy

Bariatric Surgeon

What It Is: Removes most of the stomach, leaving a "sleeve."
Why It's Done: Severe obesity, weight-related health problems.

Spleen Removal (Splenectomy)

General Surgeon

What It Is: Removes the spleen.
Why It's Done: Trauma, blood disorders, cancer.

Surgical Quality Publications

Explore this collection of peer-reviewed papers that substantiate key concepts—from the impact of variability in surgeons and facilities on recovery rates to the economic benefits of transparency in medical care.

Key Papers on Variability in Surgical Quality

2020Journal of the American College of Surgeons

Geographic Variation in the Utilization of and Mortality After Emergency General Surgery Operations in the Northeastern and Southeastern United States

Becher RD, DeWane MP, et al.

Wide geographic variations in emergency general surgery operation rates and mortality across six Northeastern and Southeastern states, emphasizing the need for targeted regional analyses to reduce disparities.

View Publication
2019JAMA Network Open

Variation in Surgical Outcomes Across Networks of the Highest-Rated US Hospitals

Ibrahim AM, Ghaferi AA, et al.

Surgical outcomes vary significantly even within networks of top-rated (US News Honor Roll) hospitals, with inconsistent performance between flagship and affiliated sites, suggesting a need for better network monitoring.

View Publication
2019JAMA Surgery

Trends in the Geospatial Distribution of Inpatient Adult Surgical Services across the United States

Diaz A, Ghaferi AA, et al.

Rural hospital closures led to increased geographic disparities, with nearly double the population living >60 minutes from major surgery-capable hospitals by 2015, highlighting access-related quality variations.

View Publication
2018Surgery

Variations in outcomes of emergency general surgery patients across hospitals: A call to establish emergency general surgery quality improvement program

Ogola GO, Crandall ML, et al.

Significant hospital-level variations in risk-adjusted outcomes for emergency general surgery, with thousands of excess deaths nationwide, advocating for a dedicated quality improvement program similar to NSQIP.

View Publication
2017PLOS ONE

Quantifying Geographic Variation in Health Care Outcomes in the United States before and after Risk-Adjustment

Morden NE, Colla CH, et al.

Large residual geographic variation in inpatient surgical mortality and safety outcomes persists after risk adjustment, across states, regions, counties, and hospitals, indicating systemic factors beyond patient mix.

View Publication
2016Annals of Surgery

Geographic variation in surgical outcomes and cost between the United States and Japan

Wakam E, Molina G, et al.

Lower outcome variability (e.g., mortality, complications) in the US compared to Japan, but higher costs; US variations are less pronounced in postoperative care but tied to inefficiencies.

View Publication
2014Journal of the American College of Surgeons

Hospital and geographic variability in thirty-day all-cause mortality following colorectal cancer surgery

Parsons HM, Henderson WG, et al.

Substantial variability in 30-day mortality post-colorectal surgery across hospitals and census tracts, influenced by socioeconomic factors, with similar magnitudes at both levels.

View Publication
2014Annals of Surgery

Patient satisfaction and quality of surgical care in US hospitals

Fenton JJ, Jerant A, et al.

High patient satisfaction correlates with better surgical quality and efficiency across US hospitals performing major procedures, with no trade-off between satisfaction and outcomes.

View Publication
2013New England Journal of Medicine

Understanding of regional variation in the use of surgery

Birkmeyer JD, Sharp SM, et al.

Regional surgery rates vary widely due to physician beliefs and patient preferences rather than illness burden, explaining "surgical signatures" and persistent geographic disparities.

View Publication
2013Journal of Rural Health

Hospital and geographic variability in two colorectal cancer surgery outcomes: complications and mortality after complications

Parsons HM, Magliocco AM, et al.

Unexplained variations in complications and post-complication mortality for colorectal cancer surgery across hospitals and geographic areas, linked to poverty rates and race.

View Publication
2011Surgery

Variation in esophagectomy outcomes in hospitals meeting Leapfrog volume outcome standards

Birkmeyer NJ, Dimick JB, et al.

Even among high-volume hospitals meeting Leapfrog standards, substantial outcome variability persists for esophagectomy, pointing to surgeon volume and process measures as key drivers.

View Publication
2010Journal of the American College of Surgeons

Variability in reoperation rates at 182 hospitals: a potential target for quality improvement

Damle RM, Al-Temimi MH, et al.

Considerable hospital variability in colorectal surgery reoperation rates, adjustable via NSQIP benchmarking, with factors like ASA class and wound contamination influencing risks.

View Publication
2009New England Journal of Medicine

Variation in hospital mortality associated with inpatient surgery

Ghaferi AA, Birkmeyer JD, Dimick JB

Hospital mortality after inpatient surgery varies widely, largely due to differences in managing complications (failure-to-rescue), not initial complication rates.

View Publication
1995American Journal of Public Health

Geographic variation in rates of selected surgical procedures within Los Angeles County

Nallamothu BK, Rogers MA, et al.

Ethnicity and socioeconomic status drive geographic variations in procedure rates (e.g., carotid endarterectomy, hysterectomy) within a single urban area like LA County.

View Publication
1986New England Journal of Medicine

Variations in the use of medical and surgical services by the Medicare population

Wennberg JE, Roos N, et al.

Large geographic differences in Medicare surgical service use across 13 US areas, with variations unrelated to health needs, signaling early evidence of supply-driven disparities.

View Publication

Key Papers on Outcomes Transparency in US Healthcare

2024Cureus

Enhancing Healthcare Accountability for Administrators: Fostering Transparency for Patient Safety and Quality Enhancement

Al-Haqwi AI, Alshammari SA, et al.

Transparency in reporting clinical outcomes (e.g., mortality, complications) enables benchmarking against standards, incentivizes high performance, and builds trust, but requires accessible data to drive improvements in patient safety.

View Publication
2024Inquiry

Price Transparency in United States' Health Care: A Narrative Policy Review of the Current State and Way Forward

Bernstein DN, Crowe JR

Price transparency could catalyze outcomes transparency, reducing disparities in surgical and procedural results by empowering informed choices, though implementation barriers limit widespread impact.

View Publication
2016NAM Perspectives (National Academy of Medicine)

Fostering Transparency in Outcomes, Quality, Safety, and Costs: A Vital Direction for Health and Health Care

Pronovost PJ, Austin JM, Cassel CK, et al.

Public reporting of outcomes (e.g., via STS registries, CDC infection measures) drives quality improvements in cardiac surgery and beyond, but needs oversight for integrity to maximize benefits.

View Publication
2021NAM Perspectives (National Academy of Medicine)

The Role of Quality Transparency in Health Care: Challenges and Potential Solutions

Saghafian S, Hopp WJ

Outcomes transparency improves sector efficiency when data is user-friendly and targeted, but requires policy incentives; evidence from Hospital Compare shows mixed consumer response without complementary reforms.

View Publication
2023Health Economics Review

The impact of hospital price and quality transparency tools on healthcare spending: a systematic review

Yan J, Zhang Y, et al.

Quality transparency tools reduce spending on procedures by 5-10% via informed choices, but effects vary by market; US hospital data shows stronger impacts on elective surgeries than emergencies.

View Publication
2019Surgical Endoscopy

Public reporting and transparency: a primer on public outcomes reporting

Romanelli JR, Fuchshuber PR, Stulberg JJ, et al.

Confusing rating systems hinder surgical outcomes transparency; specialty registries standardize metrics beyond 30-day mortality, improving relevance and feasibility for consumers seeking quality care.

View Publication
2020Advances in Health Care Management

Does transparency of quality metrics affect hospital care outcomes? A systematic review of the literature

Hefner JL, Al-Amin M, Huerta TR, et al.

Public release of outcomes data influences provider behavior and reduces complications in US hospitals, but inconsistent methodologies limit comparability; calls for unified metrics in surgical care.

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2014American Journal of Accountable Care

Ensuring the integrity and transparency of public reports: How a possible oversight model could benefit healthcare

Austin J, Young G, Pronovost P

Oversight models enhance trust in outcomes reporting (e.g., Hospital Compare), reducing variability in surgical mortality reporting; without integrity checks, transparency erodes consumer confidence.

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2011Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Report

State-of-the-art of hospital and physician/physician group public reports

Cronin C, Damberg C, Riedel A, France J

Early US public reporting initiatives show variable uptake for surgical outcomes, with successes in cardiac metrics but gaps in accessibility; recommends standardization for broader impact.

View Publication

How We Find the Best Surgeon for You

At Procendi, we use trusted, high-quality information to connect you with the right surgeon from your healthcare network, close to home.

We gather data from reliable, secure sources, including:

  • Over 600 million commercial insurance claims, which help us understand healthcare trends and outcomes.
  • Medicare and Medicaid data, ensuring we include a wide range of patient experiences.
  • Medical device data, such as from advanced robotic surgical systems, to evaluate cutting-edge treatments.
  • Electronic Health Records, which provide detailed insights into patient care.

How We Use This Information:

We combine all this data into our advanced analytics and AI platform, designed with your care in mind. Our unique technology carefully analyzes this information to create a personalized match between you and a surgeon. This match is based on proven outcomes, ensuring you're paired with a highly skilled professional within your local area and existing healthcare network.

Why You Can Trust Us:

  • We bring experience from some of the most notable medical technology and Silicon Valley innovators.
  • Your Privacy Matters: We follow strict regulations to protect your personal information, so you can feel confident and secure.
  • Tailored to You: Our goal is to make your healthcare journey smoother by finding a surgeon who fits your specific needs and location.
  • Here for You: We're committed to supporting you every step of the way, helping you feel comfortable and informed about your care.

With Procendi, you're not just a number—you're at the heart of everything we do. Let us help you find the right surgeon for a confident, personalized healthcare experience.

Sources curated from academic databases like PubMed. Some publications may require payment to read beyond the abstract.