Failure-to-Rescue Following Cytoreductive Surgery with or Without HIPEC is Determined by the Type of Complication-a Retrospective Study by INDEPSO

Perioperative outcomes and platinum resistant recurrence in patients undergoing systematic, protocol-based, total parietal peritonectomy during interval cytoreductive surgery for advanced ovarian cancer: results of the TORPEDO study

OBJECTIVE

The TORPEDO (CTRI/2018/12/016789) is the single-arm, prospective, interventional study evaluating the role of a total parietal peritonectomy (TPP) in patients undergoing interval cytoreductive surgery (iCRS). In this manuscript, we report the perioperative outcomes and platinum resistant recurrence (PRR) in 218 patients enrolled in the study.

METHODS

A TPP was performed in all patients undergoing iCRS irrespective of the residual disease extent. hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) was performed as per the clinician's discretion with 75 mg/m² of cisplatin. Maintenance therapy was also used at the discretion of the treating clinicians.

RESULTS

From 9th December 2018 to 31st July 2022 (recruitment complete), 218 patients were enrolled at 4 medical centers in India. The median surgical peritoneal cancer index was 14 and a complete gross resection was achieved in 95.8%. HIPEC was performed in 130 (59.6%) patients. The 90-day major morbidity was 17.4% and 2.7% patients died within 90 days of surgery. Adjuvant chemotherapy was delayed beyond 6 weeks in 7.3%. At a median follow-up of 19 months (95% confidence interval [CI]=15.9-35 months), 101 (46.3%) recurrences and 19 (8.7%) deaths had occurred. The median progression-free survival was 22 months (95% CI=17-35 months) and the median overall survival (OS) not reached. Platinum resistant recurrence was observed in 6.4%. The projected 3-year OS was 81.5% and in 80 patients treated before may 2020, it was 77.5%.

CONCLUSION

The morbidity and mortality of TPP with or without HIPEC performed during iCRS is acceptable. The incidence was of PRR is low. Early survival results are encouraging and warrant conduction of a randomized controlled trial comparing TPP with conventional surgery.

Standardised Critical Care Strategies Improve Outcomes Following Cytoreductive Surgery with Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy in an Indian Peritoneal Malignancy Centre

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a major undertaking with profound peri-operative metabolic and haemodynamic alterations. It requires standardised protocols for immediate postoperative intensive care management to improve patient-related outcomes. A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained data-base of 244 patients who underwent CRS and HIPEC between June 2017 and July 2022 in our institute was done. Based on the audit, six strategies were implemented, namely, (1) dynamic multiparameter-based IVF therapy to aggressively correct the hyperlactatemia, (2) initiation of IV 20% human albumin infusion from POD-0, (3) correction of serum iCa2+ levels, (4) initiation of diuresis from POD-1, (5) prophylactic use of HFNO immediately post-extubation and (6) serum procalcitonin level-based empiric escalation of IV antibiotics. Patients were divided into two cohorts, pre-protocol group of 145 patients (from June 2017 to December 2020) and post-protocol group comprising of 99 patients (from January 2021 to July 2022), and were analysed for compliance and patient-related outcomes. Implementation of these strategies improved the patient-related outcomes among the two cohorts with significant reduction of Clavien-Dindo grade III/IV complications and improvement in failure to rescue (FTR) index (p < 0.05). There was highly significant reduction in median ICU and hospital stay among the two cohorts (p < 0.001). The formulated protocols of management strategies especially multiparameter-based dynamic fluid therapy, planned diuresis and prophylactic HFNO have improved the outcomes in our patients undergoing CRS and HIPEC.

Postoperative complications and critical care management after cytoreduction surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy: A systematic review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a comprehensive treatment option performed for peritoneal surface malignancies. Postoperatively almost all patients are transferred to the intensive care unit electively.

AIM

To describe the common and rare postoperative complications, postoperative mortality and their critical care management after CRS-HIPEC.

METHODS

The authors assessed 54 articles for eligibility. Full text assessment identified 14 original articles regarding postoperative complications and critical care management for inclusion into the final review article.

RESULTS

There is an exaggerated metabolic and inflammatory response after surgery which may be termed as physiological in view of the nature of surgery combined with the use of heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy with/out early postoperative intravenous chemotherapy. The expected postoperative course is further discussed. CRS-HIPEC is a complex procedure with some life-threatening complications in the immediate postoperative period, reported morbidity rates between 12%-60% and a mortality rate of 0.9%-5.8%. Over the years, since its inception in the 1980s, postoperative morbidity and survival have significantly improved. The commonest postoperative surgical complications and systemic toxicity due to chemotherapy as reported in the last decade are discussed.

CONCLUSION

CRS-HIPEC is associated with a varying rate of postoperative complications including postoperative deaths and needs early suspicion and intensive care monitoring.

Platinum resistant recurrence and early recurrence in a multi-centre cohort of patients undergoing interval cytoreductive surgery for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer

Background

Aggressive locoregional therapies like hyperthemic intraperitoneal chemotherapy(HIPEC) and total parietal peritonectomy(TPP) have been used to delay recurrence in patients with advanced ovarian cancer undergoing interval cytoreductive surgery(CRS). The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the incidence of platinum resistant recurrence (PRR) and early recurrence (ER)(recurrence within 6 months and 1 year of the last dose of platinum based therapy, respectively) in patients undergoing interval CRS. The secondary goal was to study impact of each of these therapies on PRR and ER.

Methods

One-hundred and fifty-three patients undergoing interval CRS from July 2018 to June 2020 were included. The surgical strategy was to perform a TPP in which the entire parietal peritoneum is resected irrespective of the disease extent or a selective parietal peritonectomy (SPP) in which only the peritoneum bearing visible residual disease is resected. The use of HIPEC was at the discretion of the treating oncologists.

Results

The median surgical PCI was 15 [range, 0-37]. A CC-0 resection was obtained in 119 (77.7%) and CC-1 in 29 (18.9%) patients. Eighty-one (53%) patients had a TPP and 72 (47%) had SPP. HIPEC was performed in 98(64%) patients. Bevacizumab maintenance was administered to 31(19.6%) patients. No patients received PARP inhibitors during first-line therapy. PRR was observed in 8(5.2%) patients and ER in 30(19.6%). The respective incidences of PRR and ER were 4.9% and 16% in the TPP group, 4.1% and 23.6% in the SPP group, 9% and 20% in the no-HIPEC group and 3% and 19.3% in the HIPEC groups. On multivariate analysis, CC-0(p=0.014) resection and HIPEC(p=0.030) were independent predictors of a low ER. All patients with PR and 70% with ER had peritoneal recurrence with or without extra-peritoneal sites of recurrence.

Conclusions

The incidence of PRR and ER in this cohort was low as compared to historical data. This low incidence could be attributed to the use of aggressive locoregional therapies like TPP and HIPEC. In future, studies should be conducted to confirm these findings and evaluate the potential additive benefit of TPP and HIPEC coupled together as well as their combination with maintenance therapies.

Associations Between Preoperative Risk, Postoperative Complications, and 30-Day Mortality

BACKGROUND

Comorbidities and postoperative complications increase mortality, making early recognition and management critical. It is useful to understand how they are associated with one another. This study assesses associations between comorbidities, complications, and mortality.

METHODS

We calculated associations between comorbidities, complications, and 30-day mortality using the 2012-2018 ACS-NSQIP database. We examined the association between mortality and number of complications which complications were most associated with mortality.

RESULTS

5,777,108 patients were included. 30-day mortality was 0.95%. For most comorbidities or postoperative complications, patients with these had higher mortality than patients without. Having ≥ 1 complication increased mortality risk by 32.5-fold (6.5% vs. 0.2%). Mortality rate significantly increased with increasing number of complications, particularly after two or more complications. Bleeding and sepsis were associated with the most deaths.

CONCLUSION

The 30-day mortality rate was < 1% but was 32-fold higher in patients with complications and increased rapidly for patients with ≥ 2 complications. Bleeding and sepsis were the most prominent complications associated with mortality.

Severe pulmonary complications after cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy are common and contribute to decreased overall survival

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Extensive abdominal surgery is associated with the risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. This study aims to explore the incidence and risk factors for developing postoperative pulmonary complications after cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy and to analyze how these complications affect overall survival.

METHODS

Data were collected on 417 patients undergoing surgery between 2007 and2017 at Uppsala University Hospital, Sweden. Postoperative pulmonary complications were graded according to the Clavien-Dindo classification system where Grade ≥ 3 was considered a severe complication. A logistic regression analysis was used to analyze risk factors for postoperative pulmonary complications and a Cox proportional hazards model to assess impact on survival.

RESULTS

Seventy-two patients (17%) developed severe postoperative pulmonary complications. Risk factors were full thickness diaphragmatic injury and/or diaphragmatic resection [OR 5.393, 95% CI 2.924-9.948, p = < 0.001]. Severe postoperative pulmonary complications, in combination with non-pulmonary complications, contributed to decreased overall survival [HR 2.285, 95% CI 1.232-4.241, p = 0.009].

CONCLUSIONS

Severe postoperative pulmonary complications were common and contributed to decreased overall survival. Full thickness diaphragmatic injury and/or diaphragmatic resection were the main risk factors. This finding emphasizes the need for further research on the mechanisms behind pulmonary complications and their association with mortality.

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) in cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC): a cross-sectional survey

OBJECTIVES

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols have been questioned in patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with/without hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for peritoneal malignancies. This survey was performed to study clinicians' practice about ERAS in patients undergoing CRS-HIPEC.

METHODS

An online survey, comprising 76 questions on elements of prehabilitation (n=11), preoperative (n=8), intraoperative (n=16) and postoperative (n=32) management, was conducted. The respondents included surgeons, anesthesiologists, and critical care specialists.

RESULTS

The response rate was 66% (136/206 clinicians contacted). Ninety-one percent of respondents reported implementing ERAS practices. There was encouraging adherence to implement the prehabilitation (76-95%), preoperative (50-94%), and intraoperative (55-90%) ERAS practices. Mechanical bowel preparation was being used by 84.5%. Intra-abdominal drains usage was 94.7%, intercostal drains by 77.9% respondents. Nasogastric drainage was used by 84% of practitioners. The average hospital stay was 10 days as reported by 50% of respondents. A working protocol and ERAS checklist have been designed, based on the results of our study, following recent ERAS-CRS-HIPEC guidelines. This protocol will be prospectively validated.

CONCLUSIONS

Most respondents were implementing ERAS practices for patients undergoing CRS-HIPEC, though as an extrapolation of colorectal and gynecological guidelines. The adoption of postoperative practices was relatively low compared to other perioperative practices.

Quality Standards for Surgery of Colorectal Peritoneal Metastasis After Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

The standardization of surgical outcomes throughout surgical procedures is mandatory. Cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS + HIPEC) should provide proficient oncological and surgical outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN

The aim of this study was to identify clinically relevant quality indicators and their quality standard, and to determine their acceptable quality limit. A systematic review on cytoreductive results from 2000 to 2018 was performed focusing on clinical guidelines, consensus conferences, and publications. After the selection of quality indicators, a systematic review of indexed references was performed in order to calculate the quality standard for each indicator.

STUDY SELECTION

Unicentric/multicentric series, comparative studies, and clinical trials. Studies were to include outcomes after cytoreduction of colorectal origin and series with more than 50 patients. Quality indicators with at least 10 series were mandatory and objective measurements were also mandatory for inclusion.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Quality indicators selected were 1- to 5-year survival, overall disease-free survival, 1- to 5-year disease-free survival, complete surgical resection, duration of surgery, length of stay, overall morbimortality, major morbidity, re-intervention, postoperative hemorrhage, intestinal fistula, anastomotic leakage, wound infection, postoperative medical complications, overall recurrence, and failure to rescue.

RESULTS

The most relevant quality indicators and critical quality limits were overall disease-free survival and 5-year overall disease-free survival (14 months and <10 months, and 14% and <4%, respectively), completeness of surgical resection (89% and <80%, respectively), overall mortality (3% and >8%, respectively), overall morbidity (47% and >63%, respectively), failure to rescue (12% and <30%, respectively), reintervention (13 and <22%, respectively), anastomotic leakage (6% and <13%, respectively), and overall recurrence (60% and <74%, respectively).

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to assess quality standards in CRS + HIPEC for colorectal peritoneal metastases. The current data are of particular relevance for future studies to control the variability of this surgery.

Centralization and Oncologic Training Reduce Postoperative Morbidity and Failure-to-rescue Rates After Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Peritoneal Surface Malignancies: Study on a 10-year National French Practice

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate at a national level the postoperative mortality (POM), major morbidity (MM) and failure-to-rescue (FTR) after cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) across time and according to hospital-volume.

BACKGROUND

CRS/HIPEC is an effective therapeutic strategy commonly used to treat peritoneal surface malignancies. However, this aggressive approach has the reputation to be associated with a high POM and MM.

METHODS

All patients treated with CRS/HIPEC between 2009 and 2018 in France were identified through a national medical database. Patients and perioperative outcomes were analyzed. A cut-off value of the annual CRS/HIPEC caseload affecting the 90-day POM was calculated using the Chi-squared Automatic Interaction Detector method. A multivariable logistic model was used to identify factors mediating 90-day POM.

RESULTS

A total of 7476 CRS/HIPEC were analyzed. Median age was 59 years with a mean Elixhauser comorbidity index of 3.1, both increasing over time (P < 0.001). Ninety-day POM was 2.6%. MM occurred in 44.2% with a FTR rate of 5.1%. The threshold of CRS/HIPEC number per center per year above which the 90-day POM was significantly reduced was 45 (3.2% vs 1.9%, P = 0.01). High-volume centers had more extended surgery (P < 0.001) with increased MM (55.8% vs 40.4%, P < 0.001) but lower FTR (3.1% vs 6.3%, P = 0.001). After multivariate analysis, independent factors associated with 90-day POM were: age >70 years (P = 0.002), Elixhauser comorbidity index ≥8 (P = 0.006), lower gastro-intestinal origin, (P < 0.010), MM (P < 0.001), and <45 procedures/yr (P = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

In France, CRS/HIPEC is a safe procedure with an acceptable 90-day POM that could even be improved through centralization in high-volume centers.

Total Parietal Peritonectomy Can Be Performed with Acceptable Morbidity for Patients with Advanced Ovarian Cancer After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy: Results From a Prospective Multi-centric Study

BACKGROUND

Total parietal peritonectomy (TPP) removes areas of "normal-appearing" parietal peritoneum bearing microscopic residual disease and has the potential to improve survival of patients undergoing interval cytoreductive surgery (CRS) for advanced serous epithelial ovarian cancer. This report presents the morbidity outcomes for the first 50 patients enrolled in TORPEDO (CTRI/2018/12/016789), a prospective study.

METHODS

All the patients underwent a TPP during interval CRS. A surgical protocol that includes a description of the boundaries for each of the five peritonectomies was followed. The common toxicology criteria for adverse events (CTCAE) classification was used to record 90-day morbidity and mortality.

RESULTS

The median Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI) for 50 patients was 15 (range, 5-37). A complete cytoreduction (CC-0 resection) was obtained in 80%, a CC-1 resection in 16%. A bowel resection was performed in 70% of the patients. Grade 3 or 4 complications were seen in 11 patients (22%), and one patient died within 90 days after surgery due to intraperitoneal hemorrhage. The most common complications were postoperative fluid collection requiring aspiration (n = 5), intraperitoneal hemorrhage (n = 2), abdominal wound dehiscence (n = 2), pseudo-obstruction (n = 1), urinary sepsis (n = 2), and ileostomy-related complications (n = 2). No bowel fistulas or anastomotic leaks occurred. Microscopic disease in 'normal appearing' peritoneum adjacent to tumor nodules was observed in 46% of the patients, and in regions given a lesion score of 0 in 34%. The parietal peritoneal regions (0-8) had a higher incidence of residual disease (p < 0.001) and occult disease (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

During interval CRS, TPP can be performed with acceptable morbidity and mortality. The pathologic findings further support this therapeutic rationale. Survival outcomes should determine the future role of such a procedure in routine clinical practice.