Postoperative Infections in Cytoreductive Surgery With Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Intraoperative Chemotherapy for Peritoneal Carcinomatosis

Etiological analysis of infection after CRS + HIPEC in patients with PMP

BACKGROUND

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is the standard treatment for pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP). It can significantly prolong the survival of patients, but at the same time may increase the risk of postoperative infection.

METHOD

Patients with PMP who underwent CRS + HIPEC at our center were retrospectively analyzed. According to PMP patients, basic clinical data and relevant information of postoperative infection, we analyzed the common sites of postoperative infection, results of microbial culture and the antibiotics sensitivity. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to explore infection-related risk factors.

RESULT

Among the 482 patients with PMP, 82 (17.0%) patients were infected after CRS + HIPEC. The most common postoperative infection was central venous catheter (CVC) infection (8.1%), followed by abdominal-pelvic infection (5.2%). There were 29 kinds of microbes isolated from the culture (the most common was Staphylococcus epidermidis), including 13 kinds of Gram-positive bacteria, 12 kinds of Gram-negative bacteria, and 4 kinds of funguses. All the antibiotics sensitivity results showed that the most sensitive antibiotics were vancomycin to Gram-positive bacteria (98.4%), levofloxacin to Gram-negative bacteria (68.5%), and fluconazole to fungus (83.3%). Univariate and multivariate analysis revealed the infection independent risk factors as follow: intraoperative blood loss ≥ 350 mL (P = 0.019), ascites volume ≥ 300 mL (P = 0.008).

CONCLUSION

PMP patients may have increased infection risk after CRS + HIPEC, especially CVC, abdominal-pelvic and pulmonary infections. The microbial spectrum and antibiotics sensitivity results could help clinicians to take prompt prophylactic and therapeutic approaches against postoperative infection for PMP patients.

Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Surgical Site Infection in General Surgery: Oncological Treatments and HIPEC

The procedure of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a combined surgical and oncological treatment for peritoneal carcinomatosis of various origins. Antibiotic prophylaxis is usually center-related and should be discussed together with the infectious disease specialist, taking into account the advanced oncologic condition of the patient, the complexity of surgery—often requiring multiorgan resections—and the risk of post-HIPEC neutropenia. The incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) after CRS and HIPEC ranges between 11 and 46%. These patients are also at high risk of postoperative abdominal infections and septic complications, and a bacterial translocation during HIPEC has been hypothesized. Many authors have proposed aggressive screening protocols and a high intra and postoperative alert, in order to minimize and promptly identify all possible infectious complications following CRS and HIPEC.

Administration of Low-Dose Dexmedetomidine Did Not Affect Acute Inflammatory Response after Cytoreductive Surgery Combined with Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

During cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), attenuation of inflammatory responses that increase susceptibility to postoperative complications, morbidity, and mortality is important. We aimed to evaluate whether intraoperative dexmedetomidine infusion impacted inflammatory response in patients undergoing CRS with HIPEC. Fifty-six patients scheduled for CRS with HIPEC were randomly assigned to the control (n = 28) and dexmedetomidine (n = 28) groups. The primary endpoint was the effect of dexmedetomidine on the interleukin-6 (IL-6) level measured at pre-operation (Pre-OP), before HIPEC initiation (Pre-HIPEC), immediately after HIPEC; after the end of the operation; and on postoperative day (POD) 1. In both groups, the IL-6 levels from Pre-HIPEC until POD 1 and the C-reactive protein (CRP) levels on PODs 1, 2, and 3 were significantly higher than the Pre-OP values (all Bonferroni corrected, p < 0.001). However, total differences in IL-6 and CRP levels, based on the mean area under the curve, were not detected between the two groups. The continuous intraoperative infusion of dexmedetomidine (0.4 μg/kg/h) in patients undergoing CRS with HIPEC did not significantly lower the inflammatory indices. Further dose investigative studies are needed to find the dexmedetomidine dose that provides anti-inflammatory and sympatholytic effects during HIPEC.

Analysis of Bacterial and Fungal Infections after Cytoreduction Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy: An Observational Single-Centre Study

Introduction

While hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) after cytoreduction surgery (CRS) has been shown to improve patient survival and disease-free progression in peritoneal carcinoma (PC) patients, the procedure relates to a high postoperative infection rate. Herein, we report the bacterial and fungal infections after CRS and HIPEC from a single institution in Saudi Arabia.

Patients and Methods

A prospective observational study was conducted on 38 patients with PC selected for CRS/HIPEC procedure between 2012 and 2015 in our centre.

Results

Postoperative bacterial and fungal infection within 100 days was 42.2%, bacterial infection was reported always, and fungal infection was reported in 5 (13.2%) cases. Infections from the surgical site were considered the most common infection site. Multidrug-resistant extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) Escherichia coli was the most frequent isolate, followed by multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Lower preoperative albumin and a prolonged preoperative activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) are associated with postoperative infections, while a prolonged preoperative hospital stay (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.064; confidence interval (CI) = 1.002–1.112; P=0.042) and more intraoperative blood loss (>10%) (HR = 3.919; 95% CI = 1.024–14.995; P=0.046) were independent risk factors for postoperative infections. Three cases died during the follow-up period; all were due to infection.

Discussion

The infection rate in our centre compared to previous studies of comparable patients was matching. Effective management of postoperative infections should be considered, and identified risk factors in this study can help to focus on effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Prognostic Factors Influencing Infectious Complications after Cytoreductive Surgery and HIPEC: Results from a Tertiary Referral Center

Background

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) showed promising results in selected patients. High morbidity restrains its wide application. The aim of this study was to report postoperative infectious complications and investigate possible correlations with the preoperative nutritional status and other prognostic factors in patients with peritoneal metastases treated with CRS and HIPEC.

Methods

For the study, we reviewed the clinical records of all patients with peritoneal metastases from different primary cancers treated with CRS and HIPEC in our Institution from November 2000 to December 2017. Patients were divided according to their nutritional status (SGA) into groups A (well-nourished) and B/C (mild or severely malnourished, respectively). Possible statistical correlations between risk factors and postoperative complication rates have been investigated by univariate and multivariate analysis.

Results

Two hundred patients were selected and underwent CRS and HIPEC during the study period. Postoperative complications occurred in 44% of the patients, 35.3% in SGA-A patients, and 53% in SGA-B/C patients. Cause of complications was infective in 42, noninfective in 37, and HIPEC related in 9 patients. Infectious complications occurred more frequently in SGA-B/C patients (32.6% vs. 9.8% of SGA-A patients). The most frequent sites of infection were surgical site infections (SSI, 35.7%) and central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI, 26.2%). The most frequent isolated species was Candida (22.8%). ASA score, blood loss, performance status, PCI, large bowel resection, postoperative serum albumin levels, and nutritional status correlated with higher risk for postoperative infectious complications.

Conclusions

Malnourished patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy are more prone to postoperative infectious complications, and adequate perioperative nutritional support should be considered, including immune-enhancing nutrition. Sequential monitoring of common sites of infection, antifungal prevention of candidiasis, and careful patient selection should be implemented to reduce the complication rate.

Increased Plasma Levels of Danger-Associated Molecular Patterns Are Associated With Immune Suppression and Postoperative Infections in Patients Undergoing Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy

Introduction

Danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) can elicit immune responses and may subsequently induce an immune-suppressed state. Previous work showed that increased plasma levels of DAMPs are associated with immune suppression and increased susceptibility toward infections in trauma patients. Like trauma, major surgical procedures, such as cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), are also thought to cause profound DAMP release. Furthermore, the incidence of postoperative infections in these patients, ranging from 10 to 36%, is very high compared to that observed in patients undergoing other major surgical procedures. We hypothesized that the double hit of surgical trauma (CRS) in combination with HIPEC causes excessive DAMP release, which in turn contributes to the development of immune suppression. To investigate this, we assessed DAMP release in patients undergoing CRS-HIPEC, and investigated its relationship with immune suppression and postoperative infections.

Methods

In 20 patients undergoing CRS-HIPEC, blood was obtained at five time points: just before surgery (baseline), after CRS, after HIPEC, at ICU admission, and 1 day after surgery. Circulating levels of DAMPs [heat shock protein (HSP)70, high mobility group box (HMGB)1, S100A12, S100A8/S100A9, nuclear (n)DNA, mitochondrial (mt)DNA, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), a marker of unscheduled cell death], and cytokines [tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α, MIP-1β, and MCP-1] were measured. The extent of immune suppression was determined by measuring HLA-DR gene expression and ex vivo leukocytic cytokine production capacity.

Results

Plasma levels of DAMPs (maximum fold increases of HSP70: 2.1 [1.5–2.8], HMGB1: 5.9 [3.2–9.8], S100A8/S100A9: 3.6 [1.8–5.6], S100A12: 2.6 [1.8–4.3], nDNA 3.9 [1.0–10.8], LDH 1.7 [1.2–2.5]), and all measured cytokines increased profoundly following CRS-HIPEC. Evidence of immune suppression was already apparent during the procedure, illustrated by a decrease of HLA-DR expression compared with baseline (0.5-fold [0.3–0.9]) and diminished ex vivo pro-inflammatory cytokine production capacity. The increase in HMGB1 levels correlated with the decrease in HLA-DR expression (r = −0.46, p = 0.04), and peak HMGB1 concentrations were significantly higher in the five patients who went on to develop a postoperative infection (p = 0.04).

Conclusion

CRS-HIPEC is associated with profound DAMP release and immune suppression, and plasma HMGB1 levels are related with the occurrence of postoperative infections in these patients.

Microbiological monitoring in patients with advanced ovarian cancer before and after cytoreductive surgery – a preliminary report

Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) are becoming an increasing problem in hospitals. It is believed that screening patients for the incidence of MDROs prior to hospital admission not only allows for the proper management of infection following medical procedures, but can also potentially reduce the transmission of these bacteria to other patients.

The aim of this study was to assess the carriers of selected MDROs in the gastrointestinal tract among patients with advanced ovarian cancer admitted to the hospital for cytoreductive surgery and to estimate the possible relationship between rectal colonization with these organisms and nosocomial infections.

From December 2013 to May 2014, we evaluated the colonization with VRE (vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus), E. coli KPC+ (class A carbapenemase producing Escherichia coli), E. coli MBL+ (class B carbapenemase, metallo-ß lactamase producing Escherichia coli), and E. coli ESBL+ (extended-spectrum ß-lactamase producing Escherichia coli) in 42 patients. The patients were divided into two subgroups corresponding to the extent of their surgery: the first subgroup consisted of patients with large bowel resection (n=18) and the second subgroup of patients without resection (n=24). A rectal swab was taken within 24 hours of admission. Perioperative infectious complications were analyzed for the first 90 days following surgery with regard to the type of infection and the occurrence of examined MDROs.

In our study, 2.4 % of all patients (23.8/1,000 hospitalizations) were colonized with ESBL - producing Escherichia coli: 0.0 % in the first subgroup and 4.2% in the second subgroup, respectively. We did not identify any patients who were colonized with VRE, E. coli MBL+, or E. coli KPC+. Surgical site infections were seen in 8 (19.1%) out of 42 patients. We were, therefore, unable to confirm a relationship between MDROs colonizing the large bowel and the etiological agents of perioperative infections. However, despite the lack of identification of MDROs as etiological agents of postoperative infection, the risk of serious infectious complications, combined with the changing epidemiological situation, means that microbiological monitoring should be performed in patients with ovarian cancer before and after cytoreductive surgery.

Infectious Complications after Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intra-Peritoneal Chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to review the post-operative and infectious complications and determine the risk factors associated with infections in cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intra-peritoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between October 2007 and December 2013, patients who underwent CRS and HIPEC with a curative intent were included in the study. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System definitions were used to identify post-operative nosocomial infections.

RESULTS

One hundred and sixty-nine CRS and HIPEC procedures were performed. Overall, 155 complications were observed in 82 (48.5%) patients. Grade 3-4 morbidity rate was 25.5% (n = 43). Seventy infections occurred in 47 patients. Surgical site infection was the most common infectious complication. The most common micro-organism isolated from the cultures was Escherichia coli. Age (odds ratio [OR]1.039, confidence interval [CI] 1.006-1.073), the mean total number of staff scrubbing in the operation(OR 2.241, CI 1.415-3.548), and intensive care unit stay (OR 1.325, CI 0.953-1.842) were independent risk factors for infectious complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Infectious complications are the most important cause of peri-operative morbidity and death in CRS and HIPEC. As well as patient and tumor characteristics, surgeon/center-related factors play an important role in infectious morbidity. Patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis should be considered as a complex oncologic group at high risk of infectious complications.

Complications of Cytoreductive Surgery and HIPEC in the Treatment of Peritoneal Metastases

The combined treatment concept of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has shown to be an efficient therapeutic option for selected patients with primary and secondary peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC). This strategy represents the standard of care for diseases like pseudomyxoma peritonei and peritoneal mesothelioma, and offers the best long-term results for PC from colorectal cancer. Despite these results, skepticism exists regarding this therapeutic approach partly because of its perceived high toxicity. In this article, we review the current evidence on complications that can occur after CRS and HIPEC and the risk factors associated with increased incidence of morbidity and mortality.

Postoperative infections after cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC for peritoneal carcinomatosis: proposal and results from a prospective protocol study of prevention, surveillance and treatment

The incidence of infectious complications due to several contributory causes is particularly elevated and life-threatening in patients undergoing peritonectomy and HIPEC procedure for peritoneal carcinomatosis. Following a previous experience, we started a prospective protocol study of preoperative screening, perioperative prophylaxis and postoperative surveillance and treatment. A total of 111 patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis of various origin underwent CRS with HIPEC between April 2004 and December 2012. The group was divided into a pilot group of 30 patients (04/04 to 05/08) and a main group of 81 patients (06/08 to 12/12). Overall postoperative morbidity rate was 44%, with 35.8% of symptomatic infections. No post-operative mortality was observed. Microorganisms were isolated in 24 patients (80.0%) in the first group and 54 (66.7%) in the second. They were symptomatic in 18 cases (75.0%) and 25 (46.3%) cases respectively. In addition, 7 invasive candidosis were recorded (25.9%). Colon resection (P = 0.01) and duration of surgery (P = 0.0008) were associated with infection at logistic regression model. Concerning symptomatic infections, only Infection Risk Index (P = 0.009) showed significance at multivariate analysis. Despite a significant incidence of infectious complications, establishment of a prevention, surveillance and treatment protocol lead to a zero mortality rate in the observed patients of our experience. Owing to the obtained results, we suggest the use of a standardized protocol for the prevention, monitoring and treatment in all patients enrolled for cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC.

Patient selection for cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, and role of laparoscopy in diagnosis, staging, and treatment

The indications for peritonectomy + hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) are based on careful assessment of disease extent, but no imaging procedure is accurate enough to identify lesions smaller than 5 mm or extensively diffuse. Video-laparoscopy allows, with minimal surgical trauma, correct staging with a reliable prediction of expected cytoreduction index. Operative laparoscopy is indicated for palliation of neoplastic ascites with chemotherapy, offering encouraging results. Minimally invasive surgery in the treatment of minimal peritoneal carcinomatosis is not yet validated from wide international experience; the procedure is technically possible with strict indications, and combination with intraoperative hyperthermic chemotherapy is strongly recommended.

Effect of immediate reconstruction on postmastectomy surgical site infection

INTRODUCTION

Surgical site infections (SSI) are a source of significant postoperative morbidity and cost. Although immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy has become routine, the data regarding the incidence of SSI in immediate breast reconstruction is highly variable and series dependent.

METHODS

Using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database, all female patients undergoing mastectomy, with or without immediate reconstruction, from 2005 to 2009 were identified. Only "clean" procedures were included. The primary outcome was incidence of SSI within 30 days of operation. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors associated with SSI.

RESULTS

A total of 48,393 mastectomies were performed during the study period, of which 9315 (19.2%) had immediate breast reconstruction. The incidence of SSI was 3.5% (330/9315) (95% CI [confidence interval]: 3.2%-4%) in patients undergoing mastectomy with reconstruction and 2.5% (966/39,078) (95% CI: 2.3%-2.6%) in patients undergoing mastectomy without reconstruction (P < 0.001). Independent risk factors for SSI include increased preoperative body mass index (BMI), heavy alcohol use, ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) score greater than 2, flap failure, and operative time of 6 hours or longer.

CONCLUSIONS

Immediate breast reconstruction is associated with a statistically significant increase in risk of SSI in patients undergoing mastectomy (3.5% vs 2.5%). However, this difference was not considered to be clinically significant. In this large series, increased BMI, alcohol use, ASA class greater than 2, flap failure, and prolonged operative time were associated with increased risk of SSI.

Pulmonary Complications following Cytoreductive Surgery and Perioperative Chemotherapy in 147 Consecutive Patients

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic perioperative chemotherapy (HIPEC) has become a treatment option for selected patients with peritoneal metastases (PMs) from gastrointestinal malignancies. The purpose of this study is to evaluate our most recent data regarding pulmonary complications (respiratory distress, pleural effusion, and pneumonia) and attempt to identify risk factors associated with this management plan. This study includes the most recent 4-year experience with appendiceal and colorectal carcinomatosis patients treated in a uniform manner between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2009. A prospective morbidity and mortality database was maintained and pulmonary adverse events were analyzed with special attention to subphrenic peritonectomy. There were 147 consecutive patients with a mean age of 49.9 years. Fourteen patients (10%) presented grades I–IV pulmonary complications for a total of 26 events. The peritonectomy of right upper quadrant was performed in 74% and right plus left in 49% of the patients. Statistically, there were no more pulmonary complications among patients submitted to peritoneal stripping of right or right and left hemidiaphragm as compared to no subdiaphragmatic peritonectomy (P = 1.00 and P = 0.58, resp.). In an analysis of 18 quantitative indicators and clinical variables with pulmonary adverse events, only blood replacement greater than six units showed a significant correlation (P = 0.0062). Pulmonary adverse events were observed in 10% of patients having CRS and HIPEC. Subphrenic peritonectomy was not a specific risk factor for developing these adverse events.

Peritoneal carcinomatosis: cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC--overview and basics

Tumor involvement of the peritoneum-peritoneal carcinomatosis-is a heterogeneous form of cancer that had been generally regarded as a sign of systemic tumor disease and as a terminal condition. The multimodal treatment approach for patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis, which had been conceived and developed, consists of what is known as cytoreductive surgery, followed by hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). Depending on the tumor mass as assessed intraoperatively and the histopathological differentiation, patients who undergo cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC have a significant survival benefit. Mean increases in the survival period ranging from six months to up to four years have now been reported. In view of the substantial logistic effort and the extent of the surgery involved, this treatment approach represents a major challenge both for patients and for surgical oncologists, as well as for the members of the overall interdisciplinary structure required, which includes oncology, anesthesiology and intensive care, psycho-oncology, and patient management. The surgical procedures alone may take 8-14 hr. The present paper provides an overview of the basis for the approach and the use of specialized classifications and quantitative prognostic indicators.

Prognostic significance of postoperative wound infections after total laryngectomy

BACKGROUND

In oncologic surgery, the relationship between postoperative wound infections and prognosis remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to establish the prognostic significance of surgical wound infections in laryngectomized patients.

METHOD

We studied 129 consecutive patients with previously untreated laryngeal or hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma who underwent a total laryngectomy. Minimum follow-up was 24 months.

RESULTS

Fifty-seven patients (44%) developed a wound infection. Infections were more frequent in hypopharyngeal tumors (p < .001). Surgical wound infection was associated with a worse disease-specific survival (p = .046), but this association was due to the hypopharyngeal subgroup of cases (p = .024). In multivariate analysis, the only parameters significantly associated with a worse disease-specific survival in these cases were nodal extracapsular invasion (p < .001) and surgical wound infection (p = .02).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that the development of a postoperative wound infection is a poor prognostic sign in patients with advanced hypopharyngeal cancers surgically treated.

Surgical treatment of patients with peritoneal surface malignancy: cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy

A peritoneal surface malignancy is one of an assortment of tumors that result in widespread peritoneal involvement, can affect multiple organs, and may arise from the appendix, colon, rectum, stomach, ovaries, or peritoneal lining. The combined treatment modality of cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy has gained recognition as a promising, potentially life-extending surgical treatment option for the management of peritoneal surface malignancies. This type of surgical treatment is not without risks and complications, often resulting in the formation of fistulas and the need for a diverting ostomy. This article presents a review of peritoneal surface malignancies, cytoreductive surgery, the perioperative management of the surgical patient with focus on complications and implications for the WOC nurse providing care for patients undergoing this complex surgical treatment.

Learning curve in cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy

Cytoreductive surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy have achieved good long-term results in patients with complete surgical eradication of their peritoneal dissemination but at the expense of significant perioperative morbidity and mortality. The high complication rate has been attributed to the steep learning curve associated with this procedure. We report on the current literature regarding the learning curve for this procedure and the key components that determine the success in learning this new skill.

Laparoscopy in the management of peritoneal carcinomatosis

The use of videolaparoscopy in the assessment of peritoneal carcinomatosis extent is now universally accepted. This procedure allows us to define with certainty the origin of the neoplasm, the peritoneal cancer index (PCI), the involvement of the small bowel and its mesentery, the feasibility of surgery and the index of attainable cytoreduction, the evaluation of an eventual multiorgan resection, and finally results in no mortality and very low morbidity.The indications for laparoscopy are as follows: staging of the carcinomatosis already diagnosed with imaging (CT scan and MRI), staging of carcinomatosis of dubious origin (biopsy), restaging after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, restaging during follow-up in the case of dubious imaging, and restaging after adjuvant chemotherapy.Open (Hasson) technique has always been used in the introduction of the first trocar, and the changing position of the surgical bed allows for the evaluation of all the abdominal quadrants, limiting viscerolysis to the essential minimum to avoid iatrogenic lesions. Associating the intraoperative ultrasound has allowed us to reduce understaging of lesions at the depth of the diaphragm, of hepatic metastases and neoplastic masses at the pancreatic tail, and of the omental retrocavity.In all the cases in which diagnostic laparoscopy was followed by peritonectomy, we found a good correlation between open surgery data and the laparoscopic PCI. We excluded patients from peritonectomy if the staging laparoscopy showed a significant involvement of the small bowel or mesentery.We used videolaparoscopy to stage 197 cases of peritoneal carcinomatosis and achieved full laparoscopic PCI assessment in 196 of 197 (99.49%) cases, whereas only 4 of 197 (2.03%) cases were understaged before the routine use of laparoscopic ultrasound. Four complications were observed: 2 cases (1.02%) involved an infection of the trocar insertion site, which was treated with antibiotic therapy, and 2 cases (1.02%) involved diaphragm perforation and intraoperative bleeding, respectively, both resolved with videolaparoscopic technique. Two trocars were sufficient in 184 of 197 cases. There was no mortality and no port site metastasis.More recently, we have used videolaparoscopic surgery in the treatment of neoplastic ascites that did not respond to chemotherapy for palliative purposes, which resulted in the total disappearance of the ascites. It is now possible, in light of acquired experience, to evaluate with precision the indications, the technique, and the limits of the method both in the assessment of the carcinomatosis extent and in its palliation. In 28 cases of neoplastic ascites nonrespondent to chemotherapy, we were able to implement fully laparoscopic hyperthermic chemotherapy for the palliative treatment of the ascites, with total disappearance of it in all cases. The l-hyperthermic intraperineal chemotherapy was carried out at 42 degrees C for 90 minutes with 1.5% dextrose solution as a carrier. The chemotherapy solution was cisplatin and doxorubicin, or mitomycin, depending on the type of primary tumor. The drains were left in place and were removed when profuse drainage ceased.Ascites were controlled in all treated cases. A computed tomography scan performed in follow-up showed a small, clinically undetectable, fluid accumulation in the pelvis of 1 patient. Neither mortality nor morbidity was observed in connection with the procedure.

Should the treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis by cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy still be regarded as a highly morbid procedure?: a systematic review of morbidity and mortality

BACKGROUND

: Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has been offered in many institutions worldwide since the 1990s. Despite its existence of more than 10 years, this treatment has received heavy criticism for its morbidity and mortality rates. This consequentially resulted in a lack of randomized trials being conducted and translates into a lack of the most reliable form of scientific evidence in clinical research, hence limiting its general acceptance.

OBJECTIVE

: To report the morbidity and mortality outcomes of CRS and HIPEC from all institutions performing this treatment as a prelude toward establishing the safety of this treatment for peritoneal carcinomatosis.

METHODS

: A systematic review of relevant studies before August 2008 was performed. Each study was appraised using a predetermined protocol. The quality of studies was assessed. The morbidity and mortality of the treatment were synthesized through a narrative review with full tabulation of results of all included studies.

CONCLUSIONS

: The morbidity and mortality outcomes of CRS and HIPEC are similar to a major gastrointestinal surgery, such as a Whipple's procedure. To derive the maximal benefit of this treatment, careful patient selection with an optimal level of postoperative care must be advocated to avoid undesirable complications of this treatment.

Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy after extensive cytoreductive surgery in patients with primary advanced epithelial ovarian cancer: interim analysis of a phase II study

BACKGROUND

The objective of the current study was to evaluate the toxicities and treatment response of intraoperative hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer.

METHODS

Intraoperative HIPEC (cisplatin 75 mg/m(2), 41.5 degrees C, 90 min) was performed in 30 patients with residual tumor of <1 cm after cytoreductive surgery between January 2007 and February 2008. All the patients received adjuvant chemotherapy with combination platinum and taxane. Adverse events and responses to primary treatment were evaluated and scored as follows: grade I, observation; grade II, medical treatment; grade III, intervention; and grade IV, reoperation or admission to the intensive care unit.

RESULTS

No deaths or grade IV morbidities were observed. One hundred seven adverse events were identified in 30 patients (grade I, 40; grade II, 46; grade III, 21). The most common adverse events affected the hematologic system (n = 26), followed by the gastrointestinal system (n = 23). Most adverse events were anemias requiring transfusion and nausea/vomiting requiring medication. Twenty-eight patients (93%) experienced complete remission, and two patients (7%) had progressive disease.

CONCLUSION

HIPEC after extensive cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer is a procedure with acceptable morbidity that patients can tolerate. More follow-up is needed to determine the effect of HIPEC on survival.

Cytoreductive surgery and continuous hyperthermic peritoneal perfusion in patients with mesothelioma and peritoneal carcinomatosis: hemodynamic, metabolic, and anesthetic considerations

Cytoreductive surgery and continuous hyperthermic peritoneal perfusion (CHPP) involve the conduct of a complex surgical procedure and delivery of high-dose hyperthermic chemotherapy to the peritoneum. This therapeutic modality has been shown to benefit patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis resulting from gastrointestinal and ovarian tumors and mesothelioma. However, it is unknown whether the primary disease (mesothelioma versus peritoneal carcinomatosis) affects hemodynamic and metabolic perturbations during the course of CHPP with cisplatin. We examined the perioperative course of patients undergoing CHPP with cisplatin and evaluated the effect of primary diagnosis (mesothelioma versus peritoneal carcinomatosis) on hemodynamic and metabolic parameters in response to peritoneal perfusion. Sixty-nine mesothelioma and 100 peritoneal carcinomatosis patients underwent 169 consecutive cytoreduction and CHPP procedures with general anesthesia. During CHPP, patients from both groups developed significant increases in central venous pressure, and heart rate, decreases in mean arterial pressure (all P < 0.0001), metabolic acidosis with significant decreases in pH and bicarbonate (P < 0.0001), deterioration of gas exchange with significant increases in PaCO(2) and oxygen alveolar-arterial gradient (P < 0.0001), and significant increases in activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and prothrombin time (PT) and decreases in hematocrit and platelet counts (all P < 0.0001). However, patients with mesothelioma had lesser increases in temperature (P < 0.01) and heart rate (P < 0.0001) and lesser decreases in hematocrit (P = 0.0013) during CHPP and greater decreases in sodium bicarbonate (P = 0.0082) after completion of CHPP compared with patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis. We conclude that the transient hemodynamic and metabolic perturbations associated with cytoreductive surgery and CHPP with cisplatin can vary according to the primary diagnosis (mesothelioma versus peritoneal carcinomatosis) warranting this therapy.