Diagnostic accuracy of hand-assisted laparoscopy in predicting resectability of peritoneal carcinomatosis from gynecological malignancies

Assessment of Intraoperative Scoring Systems for Predicting Cytoreduction Outcome in Peritoneal Metastatic Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) is a widely acknowledged treatment approach for peritoneal metastasis, showing favorable prognosis and long-term survival. Intraoperative scoring systems quantify tumoral burden before CRS and may predict complete cytoreduction (CC). This study reviews the intraoperative scoring systems for predicting CC and optimal cytoreduction (OC) and evaluates the predictive performance of the Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI) and Predictive Index Value (PIV).

METHODS

Systematic searches were conducted in Embase, MEDLINE, and Web of Science. Meta-analyses of extracted data were performed to compare the absolute predictive performances of PCI and PIV.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight studies (5834 patients) focusing on gynecological (n = 34; 89.5%), gastrointestinal (n = 2; 5.3%) malignancies, and on tumors of various origins (n = 2; 5.3%) were identified. Seventy-seven models assessing the predictive performance of scoring systems (54 for CC and 23 for OC) were identified with PCI (n = 39/77) and PIV (n = 16/77) being the most common. Twenty models (26.0%) reinterpreted previous scoring systems of which ten (13%) used a modified version of PIV (reclassification). Meta-analyses of models predicting CC based on PCI (n = 21) and PIV (n = 8) provided an AUC estimate of 0.83 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.79-0.86; Q = 119.6, p = 0.0001; I2 = 74.1%) and 0.74 (95% CI 0.68-0.81; Q = 7.2, p = 0.41; I2 = 11.0%), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Peritoneal Cancer Index models demonstrate an excellent estimate of CC, while PIV shows an acceptable performance. There is a need for high-quality studies to address management differences, establish standardized cutoff values, and focus on non-gynecological malignancies.

Diagnostic laparoscopy for pre-operative selection of patients with known peritoneal carcinomatosis for CRS-HIPEC: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Preoperative selection of patients with Peritoneal Carcinomatosis (PC) for Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is challenging due to associated risks. Diagnostic laparoscopy (DL), an emerging alternative to conventional radiological imaging, has uncertain efficacy. This study aims to evaluate DL's diagnostic performance through a systematic review of available literature.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of MEDLINE and SCOPUS databases from January 1987 to September 2023 identified studies investigating DL's diagnostic accuracy in selecting PC patients for CRS-HIPEC. Methodological bias assessment and analysis of performance metrics such as positive predictive value (PPV), sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) were conducted. Subgroup analyses were performed for primary ovarian cancer studies, and false positive sites were identified. The summary receiver operating characteristic curve (sROC) was plotted to assess overall diagnostic efficacy, with meta-regression conducted to identify sources of heterogeneity across studies.

RESULTS

This study included 25 studies comprising 3820 patients. Pooled PPV was 93.04 %, with a complication rate of 1.61 %. Pooled sensitivity was 98.26 % and pooled specificity was 83.67 %. The pooled DOR was 139.18, and sROC plot yielded an area under the curve of 0.96. Meta-regression found the ovarian subgroup as a strong source of heterogeneity. Subgroup analysis indicated similar findings in primary ovarian cancer studies, while false positives were commonly observed in the celiac axis, mesentery, ureters and para-aortic lymph nodes.

CONCLUSION

DL demonstrates robust diagnostic accuracy in selecting PC patients for CRS-HIPEC, with potential benefits in patient outcomes and resource optimization. Further multicenter investigations are warranted to validate DL's efficacy across diverse primary cancer types.

Potential Risks of Severe Infection Following the Exploratory Laparoscopy for Advanced Ovarian Cancer: A Case Report and a Literature Review

Although exploratory laparoscopy in patients with advanced ovarian cancer is a diagnostic tool for determining treatment strategy, its safety has not been completely investigated. We report a case involving a severe abdominal abscess following an exploratory laparoscopy. A 65-year-old woman with advanced ovarian cancer developed a large abdominal abscess following exploratory laparoscopy and neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Emergent laparotomy was performed; while massive bowel adhesion surrounding the abscess did not allow for genital organ resection, an incision in the left port area was made to drain the abscess. The patient's chemotherapy was delayed because she experienced sub-ileus, postoperatively. Only a limited number of studies have been conducted on the safety of these techniques. This intense infection case emphasizes the need for further investigations into the safety of exploratory laparoscopy in patients with progressive diseases under heterogeneous conditions in real-world settings.

Laparoscopic predictability of minimally invasive interval debulking in advanced ovarian cancer: The MIID-SOC trial

BACKGROUND

We sought to create a laparoscopic-based model to predict the ability to perform a minimally invasive (MIS) cytoreductive surgery in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer patients who have received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT).

METHODS

Fifty women were enrolled in a multi-institutional prospective pilot study (NCT03378128). Each patient underwent laparoscopic evaluation of 43 abdominopelvic sites followed by surgeon dictated surgical approach, either continue MIS or laparotomically. However, if the procedure continued MIS, the placement of a hand-assist port for manual palpation was mandated to emulate a laparotomic approach and all 43 sites were re-evaluated. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and overall accuracy were calculated for each site to predict MIS resectability. Each parameter was assigned a numeric value based on the strength of statistical association and a total predictive index score (PIV) was assigned for each patient. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to assess the ability of the model to predict the MIS approach.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven patients (61%) underwent MIS surgery. The following abdominopelvic sites were selected for inclusion in the model: gastrosplenic ligament, rectum, left mesocolon, transverse colon, right colon, cecum, appendix, liver capsule, intrahepatic fossa/gallbladder, ileum/jejunum. Using the PIV, a ROC was generated with an AUC = 0.695. In the final model, a PIV <2 identified patients able to undergo an optimal MIS cytoreductive surgery with an accuracy of 68.2%. The specificity, or the ability to identify patients who would not be able to undergo an optimal MIS interval cytoreductive surgery, was 66.7%.

CONCLUSION

This predictive index model may help to guide future inclusion criteria in randomized studies evaluating the MIS approach in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer.

Prediction of Surgical Outcome in Advanced Ovarian Cancer by Imaging and Laparoscopy: A Narrative Review

Maximal-effort upfront or interval debulking surgery is the recommended approach for advanced-stage ovarian cancer. The role of diagnostic imaging is to provide a systematic and structured report on tumour dissemination with emphasis on key sites for resectability. Imaging methods, such as pelvic and abdominal ultrasound, contrast-enhanced computed tomography, whole-body diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography, yield high diagnostic performance for diagnosing bulky disease, but they are less accurate for depicting small-volume carcinomatosis, which may lead to unnecessary explorative laparotomies. Diagnostic laparoscopy, on the other hand, may directly visualize intraperitoneal involvement but has limitations in detecting tumours beyond the gastrosplenic ligament, in the lesser sac, mesenteric root or in the retroperitoneum. Laparoscopy has its place in combination with imaging in cases where ima-ging results regarding resectability are unclear. Different imaging models predicting tumour resectability have been developed as an adjunctional objective tool. Incorporating results from tumour quantitative analyses (e.g., radiomics), preoperative biopsies and biomarkers into predictive models may allow for more precise selection of patients eligible for extensive surgery. This review will discuss the ability of imaging and laparoscopy to predict non-resectable disease in patients with advanced ovarian cancer.

A Versatile Theranostic Platform for Colorectal Cancer Peritoneal Metastases: Real-Time Tumor-Tracking and Photothermal-Enhanced Chemotherapy

A versatile tumor-targeting stimuli-responsive theranostic platform for peritoneal metastases of colorectal cancer is proposed in this work for tumor tracking and photothermal-enhanced chemotherapy. A quenched photosensitizer ("off" state) is developed and escorted into a tumor-targeting oxaliplatin-embedded micelle. Once reaching the tumor cell, the micelle is clasped to release free oxaliplatin, as well as the "off" photosensitizer, which is further activated ("turned-on") in the tumor reducing microenvironment to provide optical imaging and photothermal effect. The combined results from hyperthermia-enhanced chemotherapy, deep penetration, perfused O2 , and the leveraged GSH-ROS imbalance in tumor cells are achieved for improved antitumor efficacy and reduced systematic toxicity.

Comparison of Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Scoring Methods in Predicting Resectability and Prognosis in Gynecologic Malignancies

OBJECTIVE

Peritoneal carcinomatosis is a disease's presentation in the advanced stages of many gynecologic tumours. The distribution and volume of the disease are the main factors in achieving complete debulking. Diagnostic laparoscopy is a technique to allow evaluation of the disease. This study's objective is to compare two laparoscopic scores (Fagotti's index and Sugarbaker's peritoneal cancer index (PCI)) and assess the diagnostic accuracy to select patients for neoadjuvant treatment and reduce unnecessary laparotomies.

METHODS

A non-randomised retrospective cohort study was conducted in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (ovarian and endometrial origin) who underwent laparoscopy and subsequent laparotomy. We evaluated the scores' ability to predict incomplete surgery and whether they were related to the patients' prognosis.

RESULTS

We included 34 patients, of which 23.5% received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The rate of complete cytoreductive surgery was 79.4% (n = 27 patients). The highest sensitivity was obtained with a PCI value greater than 20. It was the best parameter to determine incomplete debulking. Survival curves were analysed according to the "cut off" established for each score, and statically significant differences were found using PCI with respect to Fagotti's Index. However, these differences were not found with Fagotti's score.

CONCLUSION

The best diagnostic method to classify patients with peritoneal cancer is the PCI. It could be adapted to each surgical team because it allows identifying the "cut off point", which depends on incomplete surgery rate.

Peroperative scoring systems for predicting the outcome of cytoreductive surgery in advanced-stage ovarian cancer - A systematic review

The extent of peritoneal metastases (PM) largely determines the possibility of complete or optimal cytoreductive surgery in advanced ovarian cancer. An objective scoring system to quantify the extent of PM can help clinicians to decide whether or not to embark on CRS. Therefore several scoring systems have been developed by different research teams and this review summarizes their performance in predicting a complete or optimal cytoreduction in patients with advanced ovarian cancer. A systematic search in the MEDLINE database revealed 19 articles that described a total of five main scoring systems to predict the completeness of CRS in patients with FIGO stage III-IV ovarian cancer based on the surgical exploration of the abdominal cavity; PCI, PIV, Eisenkop, Espada, and Kasper. The Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI) and the Predictive Index Value (PIV) were mentioned most frequently and showed AUCs of 0.69-0.92 and 0.66-0.98, respectively. Due to the use of different cut-offs sensitivities and specificities greatly varied. Therefore with the current data, no scoring system could be identified as best. An objective measure of the extent of disease can be of great clinical use for identifying ovarian cancer patients for which a complete (or optimal) CRS is achievable, however due to local differences in treatment strategies and surgical policy a widely adopted objective scoring system with a standard cut-off value is not feasible. Nevertheless, objective scoring systems can play an important role to guide treatment decisions.

Laparoscopy for diagnosing resectability of disease in women with advanced ovarian cancer

BACKGROUND

This is an update of a Cochrane Review that was originally published in 2014, Issue 2.The presence of residual disease after primary debulking surgery is a highly significant prognostic factor in women with advanced ovarian cancer. In up to 60% of women, residual tumour of > 1 cm is left behind after primary debulking surgery (defined as suboptimal debulking). These women might have benefited from neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) prior to interval debulking surgery instead of primary debulking surgery followed by chemotherapy. It is therefore important to select accurately those women who would best be treated with primary debulking surgery followed by chemotherapy from those who would benefit from NACT prior to surgery.

OBJECTIVES

To determine if performing a laparoscopy, in addition to conventional diagnostic work-up, in women suspected of advanced ovarian cancer is accurate in predicting the resectability of disease.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2018, Issue 6) in the Cochrane Library; MEDLINE via Ovid, Embase via Ovid, MEDION and Science Citation Index and Conference Proceedings Citation Index (ISI Web of Science) to July 2018. We also checked references of identified primary studies and review articles.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included studies that evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of laparoscopy to determine the resectability of disease in women who are suspected of advanced ovarian cancer and planned to receive primary debulking surgery.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Pairs of review authors independently assessed the quality of included studies using QUADAS-2 and extracted data on study and participant characteristics, index test, target condition and reference standard. We extracted data for two-by-two tables and summarised these graphically. We calculated sensitivity and specificity and negative predictive values.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 18 studies, reporting on 14 cohorts of women (including 1563 participants), of which one was a randomised controlled trial (RCT). Laparoscopic assessment suggested that disease was suitable for optimal debulking surgery (no macroscopic residual disease or residual disease < 1 cm (negative predictive values)) in 54% to 96% of women who had macroscopic complete debulking surgery (no visible disease at end of laparotomy) and in 69% to 100% of women who had optimal debulking surgery (residual tumour < 1 cm at end of laparotomy).Only two studies avoided partial verification bias by operating on all women independent of laparoscopic findings, and provided data to calculate sensitivity and specificity. These two studies had no false positive laparoscopies (i.e. no women had a laparoscopy indicating unresectable disease and then went on to have optimal debulking surgery (no disease > 1 cm remaining)).Due to the large heterogeneity pooling of the data was not possible for meta-analysis.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopy may be a useful tool to identify those women who have unresectable disease, as no women were inappropriately unexplored. However, some women had suboptimal primary debulking surgery, despite laparoscopy predicting optimal debulking and data are at high risk of verification bias as only two studies performed the reference standard (debulking laparotomy) in test (laparoscopy)-positive women. Using a prediction model does not increase the sensitivity and will result in more unnecessarily explored women, due to a lower specificity.

[Diagnostic and prognostic value of tumor markers, scores (clinical and biological) algorithms, in front of an ovarian mass suspected of an epithelial ovarian cancer: Article drafted from the French Guidelines in oncology entitled "Initial management of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer" developed by FRANCOGYN, CNGOF, SFOG, GINECO-ARCAGY under the aegis of CNGOF and endorsed by INCa]

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the diagnostic value of serum/urinary biomarkers and the operability diagnosis strategy to make management recommendations.

METHODS

Bibliographical search in French and English languages by consultation of Pubmed, Cochrane and Embase databases.

RESULTS

For the diagnosis of a suspicious adnexal mass on imaging: Serum CA125 antigen is recommended (grade A). Serum CAE is not recommended (grade C). The low evidence in literature concerning diagnostic value of CA19.9 does not allow any recommendation concerning its use. Serum Human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) is recommended (grade A). Comparison of data concerning diagnosis value of CA125 and HE4 show similar results for the prediction of malignancy in case of a suspicious adnexal mass on imaging (NP1). Urinary HE4 is not recommended (grade A). The use of circulating tumor DNA is not recommended (grade A). Tumor associated antigen-antibodies (AAbs) is not recommended (grade B). The use of ROMA score (Risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm) is recommended (grade A). The use of Copenhagen index (CPH-I), R-OPS score, OVA500 is not recommended (grade C). For the prediction of resectability of an ovarian cancer with peritoneal carcinomatosis in the context of a primary debulking surgery: It is not recommendend to use serum CA125 (grade A). The low evidence in literature concerning diagnostic value of HE4 does not allow any recommendation concerning its use in this context. No recommendation can be given concerning CA19.9 and CAE. For the prediction of resectability of an ovarian cancer with peritoneal carcinomatosis in the context of surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy: the low evidence in literature concerning diagnostic value of serum markers in this context does not allow any recommendation concerning their use in this context. Place of laparoscopy for the prediction of resectability in case of upfront surgery of an ovarian cancer with peritoneal carcinomatosis robust data shows that the use of laparoscopy significantly reduce futile laparotomies (LE1). Laparoscopy is recommended in this context (grade A). Fagotti score is a reproducible tool (LE1) permitting the evaluation of feasibility of an optimal upfront debulking (NP4), its use is recommended (grade C). A Fagotti score≥8 is correlated to a low probability of complete or optimal debulking surgery (LE4) (grade C). There is no sufficient evidence to recommend the use of the modified Fagotti score or any other laparoscopic score (LE4). In case of laparotomy for an ovarian cancer with peritoneal carcinomatosis, the use of Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI) is recommended (grade C). For the prediction of overall survival, disease free survival and the prediction of postoperative complications, the clinical and statistical of actually available tools do not allow any recommendation.

Specific Regions, Rather than the Entire Peritoneal Carcinosis Index, are Predictive of Complete Resection and Survival in Advanced Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

BACKGROUND

Advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) often involves the peritoneum. Because complete resection of tumor and carcinosis is the most important prognostic factor, the peritoneal carcinosis index (PCI) has been evaluated in EOC. We hypothesize that specific PCI regions comprising the small intestine with mesentery (regions 9-12) and the hepatoduodenal ligament (region 2) are more predictive of complete resection (R = 0) and survival than the entire PCI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We analyzed prospectively collected nationwide data from 507 patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IIIB to IVB EOC who underwent primary surgery with complete cytoreductive intent. The PCI as a predictor of incomplete resection (R > 0) was evaluated with logistic regression and receiver operating caracteristic curves. Survival analysis was performed with Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression.

RESULTS

Median (range) PCI was 10 (0-33) in R = 0 patients and 24 (1-39) in R > 0 patients; P < 0.0001. The PCI of regions 9 to 12 (odds ratio [OR]:1.38 (1.29-1.47; 95% confidence interval [CI]) and 2 + 9 to 12 (OR: 1.31 [1.24-1.38; 95% CI]) were more predictive of residual tumor than the entire PCI (OR: 1.10 [1.08-1.12; 95% CI]). Similarly, in receiver operating characteristic curve analyses of R greater than 0 versus R = 0, the area under the curve was higher in regions 9 to 12 (78%) and regions 2 + 9 to 12 (79%) than for the total PCI (75%).Median overall survival was 56.8 months (48.3-65.4; 95% CI) after R = 0 and 26.7 months (21.4-32.0; 95% CI) after R greater than 0 (P < 0.0001). Overall survival was 53.8 months for patients with PCI less than median (14) versus 25.7 in patients with PCI greater than median.The PCI in regions 9 to 12 (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.10 [1.07-1.13; 95% CI]) and 2 + 9 to 12 (HR: 1.08 [1.06-1.11; 95% CI]) was associated with a poorer prognosis than the entire PCI (HR: 1.03 [1.02-1.04; 95% CI]).

CONCLUSIONS

Selected PCI regions corresponding to the small intestine and hepatoduodenal ligament are more predictive of complete resection and survival than the entire PCI. This confirms that in the majority of the cases, an early intraoperative examination of those selected PCI regions - and not the entire PCI - will reveal whether R = 0 is achievable.

Feasibility of hand-assisted laparoscopic cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for peritoneal surface malignancy

BACKGROUND

In light of the modern surgical trend towards minimally invasive surgery, we aim to assess the feasibility of hand-assisted laparoscopic (HAL) cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in peritoneal surface malignancy (PSM).

METHODS

Patients with PSM secondary to colorectal cancer or pseudomyxoma peritonei with peritoneal cancer index (PCI) of ≤ 10 were considered for HAL CRS and HIPEC. One patient had PCI of 15 but based on the disease distribution laparoscopic-assisted CRS and HIPEC was thought to be feasible, thus was also included. These patients were compared to matched controls who underwent open CRS and HIPEC for similar pathologies. Matching was performed on age and PCI to reflect a comparable complexity of the operation, and tumor grade for comparable risk of disease recurrence.

RESULTS

Eleven patients were included in each group. In both groups, mean PCI was 4.1, mean age was 58.5 years, and 81.8% were well-moderately differentiated tumors. Complete cytoreduction was achieved in all patients. Upon comparison, HAL patients had significantly less blood loss and 3-day shorter hospitalization. No difference was demonstrated in operative time, number of visceral resections, and rate of omentectomy/peritonectomy. Also, no difference was detected in morbidities and 30-day readmission rates. No intraperitoneal recurrences have been reported in the HAL group after a median follow-up of 11 months.

CONCLUSION

HAL CRS and HIPEC is a feasible procedure and can be considered for PSM with low PCI. It offers very acceptable and comparable short-term outcomes to the conventional open approach.

Laparoscopy for primary cytoreduction with multivisceral resections in advanced ovarian cancer: prospective validation. "The times they are a-changin"?

BACKGROUND

Primary cytoreduction is the mainstay of treatment for advanced ovarian cancer (AOC). We developed and prospectively evaluated an algorithm to investigate the possible role of laparoscopic primary cytoreduction (LPC) in carefully selected patients, with AOC.

METHODS

From June 2007 to July 2015, all patients with stage III-IV ovarian cancer and clinical conditions allowing aggressive surgery were candidate to primary cytoreduction with the aim of achieving residual tumor (RT) = 0. The possibility of attempting laparoscopic cytoreduction was carefully evaluated using strict selection criteria. The other patients were approached by abdominal primary cytoreduction (APC). At the end of LPC, an ultra-low pubic mini-laparotomy was performed to extract surgical specimens and to accomplish a laparoscopic hand-assisted exploration of the abdominal organs, in order to confirm complete excision of the disease.

RESULTS

Of the included 66 patients, 21 were considered eligible for LPC; the remaining 45 underwent APC. Optimal cytoreduction (i.e., RT = 0) was obtained in 95 and 88.4% in the LPC and APC groups, respectively. No intra-operative complication and 4 (19%) early post-operative complications were observed among patients who received LPC. Patients who underwent APC had 17.8 and 46.7% intra- and early post-operative complications, respectively. Median time to initiation of chemotherapy was 15 (range, 10-30) days in the LPC group and 28 (20-35) days in the APC group. After a median follow-up of 51 months, 2-year disease-free survival was 76.2% in the LPC group and 73.4% in the APC group.

CONCLUSIONS

After strict selection, a group of patients with AOC may undergo LPC with extremely high rates of optimal cytoreduction, satisfactory perioperative morbidity, a short interval to chemotherapy, and encouraging survival outcomes. Clinical trial registration NCT02980185.

Laparoscopy to Predict the Result of Primary Cytoreductive Surgery in Patients With Advanced Ovarian Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Purpose To investigate whether initial diagnostic laparoscopy can prevent futile primary cytoreductive surgery (PCS) by identifying patients with advanced-stage ovarian cancer in whom > 1 cm of residual disease will be left after PCS. Patients and Methods This multicenter, randomized controlled trial was undertaken within eight gynecologic cancer centers in the Netherlands. Patients with suspected advanced-stage ovarian cancer who qualified for PCS were eligible. Participating patients were randomly assigned to either laparoscopy or PCS. Laparoscopy was used to guide selection of primary treatment: either primary surgery or neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval surgery. The primary outcome was futile laparotomy, defined as a PCS with residual disease of > 1 cm. Primary analyses were performed according to the intention-to-treat principle. Results Between May 2011 and February 2015, 201 participants were included, of whom 102 were assigned to diagnostic laparoscopy and 99 to primary surgery. In the laparoscopy group, 63 (62%) of 102 patients underwent PCS versus 93 (94%) of 99 patients in the primary surgery group. Futile laparotomy occurred in 10 (10%) of 102 patients in the laparoscopy group versus 39 (39%) of 99 patients in the primary surgery group (relative risk, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.13 to 0.47; P < .001). In the laparoscopy group, three (3%) of 102 patients underwent both primary and interval surgery compared with 28 (28%) of 99 patients in the primary surgery group ( P < .001). Conclusion Diagnostic laparoscopy reduced the number of futile laparotomies in patients with suspected advanced-stage ovarian cancer. In women with a plan for PCS, these data suggest that performance of diagnostic laparoscopy first is reasonable and that if cytoreduction to < 1 cm of residual disease seems feasible, to proceed with PCS.

The Utility of Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery (HALS) in Giant Pelvic Masses

The purpose of this study was to report the outcomes of a series of patients who underwent hand-assisted laparoscopy surgery for benign giant pelvic masses, including ovarian cysts and uterine myomas. We reviewed the records of all patients who underwent laparoscopic or hand-assisted laparoscopy surgery for a variety of benign gynecological conditions. Demographic, clinical, pathologic, and follow-up information was analyzed. Twelve patients have undergone hand-assisted laparoscopy for giant pelvic mass, including four hand-assisted laparoscopic myomectomy, four oophorocystectomy, and four salpingo-oophorectomy. The median age was 35.5 (19-55). The median BMI was 22.05 (19.8-26.7 kg/m(2)). The median diameter of adnexal mass was 21 (17-24 cm). The median diameter of uterine myoma was 18.5 (16-19 cm). The median length of hand-assisted (HA) incision was 5 cm (2-6 cm). The median operation time was 100 min (70 to 180 minutes), and median estimated blood loss was 60 mL (30 to 800 mL). The median length of stay was 3 days (3-5 days). There was no case of intraoperative and postoperative complications. Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery is safe and feasible in the management of patients with benign giant pelvic masses. Additional studies are needed to further investigate potential advantages and outcomes of the technique.

Surgical technology and pharmacology of hyperthermic perioperative chemotherapy

Although cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic perioperative chemotherapy (HIPEC) have not been shown to be effective by themselves, as a combined treatment they are now standard of care for peritoneal metastases from appendiceal cancer and from colorectal cancer as well as peritoneal mesothelioma. The timing of the HIPEC in relation to the CRS is crucial in that the HIPEC is to destroy minimal residual disease that remains following the CRS and prevent microscopic tumor emboli within the abdomen and pelvis from implanting within the resection site, within fibrinous clot, or within blood clot. Proper selection of chemotherapy agents is crucial to the long-term benefit of CRS and HIPEC. One must consider the response expected with the cancer chemotherapy agent, its area under the curve (AUC) ratio indicating the amount of dose intensity within the peritoneal space, and the drug retention within the peritoneal space for a prolonged exposure. Hyperthermia will augment the cytotoxicity of the cancer chemotherapy agents and improve drug penetration. Irrigation techniques should not be overlooked as an important means of reducing the cancer cell burden within the abdomen and pelvis. Multiple technologies for HIPEC exist and these have advantages and disadvantages. The techniques vary from a totally open technique with a vapor barrier over the open abdominal space to a totally closed technique whereby the HIPEC is administered at the completion of the surgical procedure. The open techniques depend on a table-mounted retractor for suspension of the skin edges allowing a reservoir to occur within the abdomen and pelvis. There are nearly a dozen commercially available hyperthermia pumps, all of which seem to perform adequately for HIPEC although there is a variable degree of convenience and documentation of the HIPEC procedure. As the management of peritoneal metastases has progressed over three decades, early cases are now seen in which a laparoscopic CRS and HIPEC may be appropriate. Also, prophylactic use of laparoscopic HIPEC with perforated appendiceal malignancies and T4 colon cancers may be appropriate.

Evaluation of single-port laparoscopy for peritoneal carcinomatosis assessment in advanced ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVES

Ovarian cancers are usually diagnosed at an advanced stage. The extent of the disease before surgery partly determines the ability to perform a complete cytoreduction. The peritoneal cancer index (PCI) is used to evaluate peritoneal carcinomatosis and has been validated in ovarian cancer and correlated with resectability. The aim of our study was to assess the feasibility of single-port laparoscopy (SPL) for suspicion of advanced ovarian cancer and to describe the ability to calculate the PCI score at the time of laparoscopy.

STUDY DESIGN

Between February 2011 and January 2013, 33 patients underwent SPL for suspected advanced ovarian cancer. Individual records for all patients were prospectively reviewed and analyzed. For each patient, we determined the PCI score.

RESULTS

33 patients underwent initial SPL, 85% had increased carcinological markers and 67% a radiological suspicion of peritoneal carcinomatosis. The median operative time was 90min. During SPL, 76% of patients underwent ascites evacuation; all patients had peritoneal cytology and peritoneal biopsies. Only 3 patients experienced perioperative complications. Two open conversions were recorded. Quotation of the PCI score was possible for all patients. Eighteen patients (55%) had a PCI score below 10; one had a maximal PCI score of 39. The PCI score was null for 9 patients. Non-browsing areas marked 8 procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

SPL appeared to be feasible, with satisfying immediate results and postoperative outcome, compared to conventional laparoscopy. It allowed a satisfying exploration of the abdomino-pelvic cavity and a good description of peritoneal carcinomatosis with only a few non-browsing PCI areas.