Effect of preservation of the right gastro-epiploic artery on delayed gastric emptying after cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC: a randomized clinical trial

Omental metastases in patients with pseudomyxoma peritonei or colorectal peritoneal metastases - is routine omentectomy justified?

BACKGROUND

The greater omentum is routinely resected during cytoreductive surgery (CRS), but few studies have analyzed the rationale behind this. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of omental metastases (OM) and the correlation between macroscopically suspected and microscopically confirmed OM, in patients with pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) or colorectal peritoneal metastases (PM).

METHOD

All patients without previous omentectomy, treated with initial CRS and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for PMP or colorectal PM, at Uppsala University Hospital in 2013-2021, were included. Macroscopic OM in surgical reports was compared with histopathological analyses.

RESULTS

In all, 276 patients were included. In those with PMP, 112 (98%) underwent omentectomy and 67 (59%) had macroscopic suspicion of OM. In 5 (4%) patients, the surgeon was uncertain. Histopathology confirmed OM in 81 (72%). In patients with macroscopic suspicion, 96% had confirmed OM (positive predictive value, PPV). In patients with no suspicion, 24% had occult OM (negative predictive value, NPV = 76%). In patients with colorectal PM, 156 (96%) underwent omentectomy and 97 (60%) had macroscopic suspicion. For 5 (3%) patients, the surgeon was uncertain. OM was microscopically confirmed in 90 (58%). PPV was 85% and NPV was 89%. The presence of OM was a univariate risk factor for death in PMP (HR 3.62, 95%CI 1.08-12.1) and colorectal PM (HR 1.67, 95%CI 1.07-2.60), but not in multivariate analyses.

CONCLUSION

OM was common and there was a high risk of missing occult OM in both PMP and colorectal PM. These results support the practice of routine omentectomy during CRS.

Is Routine Omentectomy a Necessary Component of Cytoreductive Surgery and HIPEC?

BACKGROUND

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with or without hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for peritoneal metastases traditionally includes omentectomy, even in the absence of visible omental metastases. We sought to determine the rate of occult histologic omental metastasis (OHOM), evaluate morbidity with omentectomy, and examine the rate of omental recurrence among patients undergoing CRS-HIPEC.

METHODS

All CRS-HIPEC procedures from August 2007 to August 2020 were included in this single-center, retrospective, cohort study. Procedures were divided into those that included greater omentectomy (OM) and those that did not (NOM). The incidence of OHOM was evaluated specifically among the OM group with a grossly normal omentum. Multivariate regression analyses were performed to evaluate return of bowel function, ileus, and morbidity in the OM and NOM groups.

RESULTS

Among 683 CRS-HIPEC procedures, 578 (84.6%) included omentectomy and 105 (15.4%) did not. The OM group had higher operative time, blood loss, peritoneal cancer index, number of visceral resections, and length of stay. In the OM group, 72 (12.5%) patients had a grossly normal omentum, and 23 (31.9%) of these had OHOM. Risk-adjusted return of bowel function, ileus, and 60-day complications were no different in the OM and NOM groups. Among 43 patients with residual omentum, 24 (55.8%) recurred, including 9 (20.9%) with omental recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Histologically occult metastasis was present in one-third of patients undergoing omentectomy during CRS-HIPEC. Omentectomy did not increase the rate of overall morbidity, and one-fifth of patients with residual omentum later developed omental recurrence. Thus, omentectomy is warranted in the absence of gross metastases during CRS-HIPEC.

Risk factors for postoperative delayed gastric emptying in ovarian cancer treated with cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS-HIPEC) has shown promising results in improving the survival of ovarian cancer patients. Although the safety profiles of CRS-HIPEC exist, more attention should be paid to gastrointestinal complications, as the procedure involves a considerable proportion of bowel resection and anastomosis.

AIM

To identify the risk factors for delayed gastric emptying in ovarian cancer treated with CRS-HIPEC.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, we retrospectively analyzed 77 patients admitted between March 2014 and April 2018 with advanced and recurrent ovarian cancer treated with CRS-HIPEC in Beijing Shijitan Hospital of Capital Medical University. Risk factors for delayed gastric emptying were analyzed using univariate analysis. All of the statistically significant variables in the univariate analysis were entered into the multivariable logistic regression model to determine factors independently associated with delayed gastric emptying.

RESULTS

Among the 77 included patients, 36.4% (28/77) had delayed gastric emptying after CRS-HIPEC. The median age and body mass index of all patients were 59 years and 22.83 kg/m², respectively. Preoperative chemotherapy was administered in 55 patients (71%). Sixty-two patients (81%) had a history of at least one previous pelvic surgery. The median operation time and intraoperative hemorrhage volume were 630 min and 600 mL, respectively. Omentectomy was performed in 32 cases of primary ovarian cancer and 24 cases of recurrence. The median peritoneal cancer index was 16. The risk factors for delayed gastric emptying from the univariate analysis were body mass index < 23 kg/m² (X² = 5.059, P = 0.025), history of pelvic surgery (X² = 4.498, P = 0.034), history of chemotherapy (X² = 4.334, P = 0.037), operation time ≥ 7 h (X² = 4.827, P = 0.047), and intraoperative hemorrhage ≥ 800 mL (X² = 7.112, P = 0.008). Multivariable analysis revealed that age ≥ 70 years (HR = 7.127; 95%CI 1.122-45.264; P = 0.037) and intraoperative hemorrhage ≥ 800 mL (HR = 3.416; 95%CI 1.067-10.939; P = 0.039) were independently associated with postoperative delayed gastric emptying after CRS-HIPEC.

CONCLUSION

Postoperative gastrointestinal management, including prolonged nasogastric intubation, should be promoted for patients over 70 years or those with intraoperative bleeding exceeding 800 mL.

Nasogastric- vs. percutaneous gastrostomy tube for prophylactic gastric decompression after cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy

Objectives

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is associated with postoperative gastroparesis and ileus. In 2015, our practice shifted from using percutaneous gastrostomy tubes (PGT), to nasogastric tubes (NGT) for prophylactic gastric decompression after CRS-HIPEC. This study aimed to compare these methods for length of stay (LOS) and associated complications.

Methods

Patients that underwent CRS-HIPEC for peritoneal metastases from colorectal cancer between 2014 and 2019 were included. Cases were grouped based on receiving NGT or PGT postoperatively. Multivariable linear regression determined the independent effect of decompression method on LOS, thereby adjusting for confounders.

Results

In total, 179 patients were included in the analyses. Median age was 64 years [IQR:54–71]. Altogether, 135 (75.4%) received a NGT and 44 (24.6%) received a PGT. Gastroparesis occurred significantly more often in the PGT group (18.2 vs. 7.4%, p=0.039). Median LOS was significantly shorter for patients with a NGT (15 [IQR:12–19] vs. 18.5 [IQR:17–25.5], p<0.001). PGT was independently associated with longer LOS in multivariable analysis (Beta=4.224 [95%CI 1.243–7.204]). There was no difference regarding aspiration, pneumonia and postoperative mortality between groups.

Conclusions

NGT should be preferred over PGT for gastric decompression after CRS-HIPEC as it is associated with fewer gastroparesis and shorter LOS.

An update of peritonectomy procedures used in cytoreductive surgery for peritoneal malignancy

Background: Complete cytoreduction is acknowledged to be an effective way to achieve macroscopic tumor clearance for a variety of tumors confined to the peritoneal cavity. Recent trials have shown that surgery respecting anatomical planes results in excellent outcomes and even the chance of cure for some from what was once thought to be life-limiting disease. Objective: To describe peritonectomy procedures in the current era. Method: A thorough and systematic method for cytoreductive surgery aimed at complete surgical resection of peritoneal metastases (PMs) was described. Results: The general principles of cytoreductive surgery were set out including preoperative preparation, patient positioning and incision. Strategies for assessing disease extent and planning surgical steps were outlined and established peritonectomy procedures such as Glisson's capsulectomy, omentectomy, left and right diaphragmatic peritonectomy, lesser omentectomy, stripping of the omental bursa, and pelvic peritonectomy were described. Novel techniques such as anterior pancreatic peritonectomy, small bowel mesenteric peritonectomy and cardiophrenic lymph node dissection were explained, and illustrated with accompanying video. Conclusion: Peritoneal metastases present a challenge to the surgeon which calls for a unique skill set if optimal outcomes are to be achieved. Attempts to standardize the surgical techniques described will allow further refinement as new technological advances occur.

Postoperative paralytic ileus after cytoreductive surgery combined with heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy

Background

Patients with peritoneal malignancy treated by cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) are prone to develop postoperative paralytic ileus (POI). POI is associated with significant increase in both morbidity and mortality. CRS and HIPEC commonly result in prolonged POI (PPOI). The objective was to clarify the extent of PPOI in patients treated by CRS and HIPEC for peritoneal malignancy.

Methods

This was a prospective multicenter study including patients operated with CRS and HIPEC at the Department of Surgery, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark and the Peritoneal Malignancy Institute, Basingstoke, United Kingdom. A total of 85 patients were included over 5 months. Patients prospectively reported parameters of postoperative gastrointestinal function in a diary from post-operative day 1 (POD1) until discharge. PPOI was defined as first defecation on POD6 or later.

Results

Median time to first flatus passage was 4 days (range 1–12). Median time to first defecation was 6 days (1–14). Median time to removal of nasojejunal tube was 4 days (3–13) and 7 days (1–43) for nasogastric tube. Forty-six patients (54%) developed PPOI. Patients with PPOI had longer time to first flatus (p<0.0001) and longer time to removal of nasojejunal tube (p=0.001). Duration of surgery correlated to time to first flatus (p=0.015) and time to removal of nasogastric or nasojejunal tube (p<0.0001) but not to time to first defecation (p=0.321).

Conclusions

Postoperative gastrointestinal paralysis remains a common and serious problem in patients treated with CRS and HIPEC.

Pedicled omental flaps in the treatment of complex spinal wounds after en bloc resection of spine tumors

STUDY DESIGN

The present paper presents a retrospective study of 5 patients who underwent pedicled omental flap procedure following spine tumor removal.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Postoperative wound dehiscence represents a major complication in spinal surgery, particularly after en bloc tumor resection, because of the extended sacrifice of soft tissues and adjuvant radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

METHODS

Five patients, with a mean age of 52 years (range, 24-71 years), who underwent omental flaps for the treatment of postoperative complication in spine tumor resections were retrospectively evaluated.

RESULTS

Four of 5 patients underwent omental transposition after a mean of 15 months (range, 4-27) from the previous surgery because of dehiscence of the wound (all of them had cerebrospinal fluid leak: 1 transpleural and in 3 cases, associated with deep infection), whereas one patient underwent the omental flap procedure at the time of elective spinal surgery because of several contemporary risk factors for wound healing. At the time of discharge after a mean of 36 days (range, 23-53), all patients had well-healed surgical wounds with an acceptable structural and aesthetic result. One of the patients had ileus, requiring surgical lysis of abdominal adhesions 3 months after omentum flap procedure. No other complications were observed.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that pedicled omental flap is a viable option for the treatment of complicated spinal wounds, helping in the resolution of the infection and CSF leak.

Electrical bioimpedance and other techniques for gastric emptying and motility evaluation

The aim of this article is to identify non-invasive, inexpensive, highly sensitive and accurate techniques for evaluating and diagnosing gastric diseases. In the case of the stomach, there are highly sensitive and specific methods for assessing gastric motility and emptying (GME). However, these methods are invasive, expensive and/or not technically feasible for all clinicians and patients. We present a summary of the most relevant international information on non-invasive methods and techniques for clinically evaluating GME. We particularly emphasize the potential of gastric electrical bioimpedance (EBI). EBI was initially used mainly in gastric emptying studies and was essentially abandoned in favor of techniques such as electrogastrography and the gold standard, scintigraphy. The current research evaluating the utility of gastric EBI either combines this technique with other frequently used techniques or uses new methods for gastric EBI signal analysis. In this context, we discuss our results and those of other researchers who have worked with gastric EBI. In this review article, we present the following topics: (1) a description of the oldest methods and procedures for evaluating GME; (2) an explanation of the methods currently used to evaluate gastric activity; and (3) a perspective on the newest trends and techniques in clinical and research GME methods. We conclude that gastric EBI is a highly effective non-invasive, easy to use and inexpensive technique for assessing GME.