In-Hospital Mortality and Complication Rates According to Health Insurance Data in Patients Undergoing Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Peritoneal Surface Malignancies in Germany

BACKGROUND

Morbidity and in-hospital mortality rates of patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in Germany are not known.

METHODS

From 2009 to 2018 all patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in Germany were retrospectively analyzed regarding morbidity and in-hospital mortality rates according to nationwide hospital billing data based on diagnosis-related groups (DRG). The "failure to rescue" (FTR) index, characterizing patients who died after severe but potentially manageable complications, was calculated.

RESULTS

In total, 8463 patients were included and analyzed. Female sex predominated (1.5:1). Colonic origin of peritoneal metastasis was highest throughout all years, reaching its highest level in 2017 (55%; n = 563) and its lowest level in 2012 (40%; n = 349). Median length of hospital stay reached its maximum in 2017 at 23.9 days and its minimum in 2010 at 22.0 days. Analysis of the total FTR index showed a noticeable improvement over the years, reaching its lowest values in 2017 (9.8%) and 2018 (8.8%). The FTR index for sepsis, peritonitis, and pulmonary complications significantly improved over time. Of the 8463 included patients, 290 died during hospital stay, reflecting an in-hospital mortality rate of 3.4%.

CONCLUSION

In-hospital mortality after cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy is reasonably low compared with other surgical procedures. The improvement in the FTR index reflects efforts to centralize treatment at specialized high-volume centers.

CRS/HIPEC with Major Organ Resection in Peritoneal Mesothelioma Does not Impact Major Complications or Overall Survival: A Retrospective Cohort Study of the US HIPEC Collaborative

INTRODUCTION

CRS/HIPEC is thought to confer a survival advantage for patients with malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPM). However, the impact of nonperitoneal organ resection is not clearly defined. We evaluated the impact of major organ resection (MOR) on postoperative outcomes and overall survival (OS).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The US HIPEC collaborative database (2000-2017) was reviewed for MPM patients who underwent CRS/HIPEC. MOR was defined as total or partial resection of diaphragm, stomach, spleen, pancreas, small bowel, colon, rectum, kidney, ureter, bladder, and/or uterus. MOR was categorized as 0, 1, or 2+ organs.

RESULTS

A total of 174 patients were identified. Median PCI was 16 (3-39). The distribution of patients with MOR-0, MOR-1, and MOR-2+ was 94, 45, and 35 patients, respectively. MOR-1 and MOR-2+ groups had a higher frequency of any complication compared with MOR-0 (57.8%, 74.3%, and 48.9%, respectively, p = 0.035), but Clavien 3/4 complications were similar. Median length of stay was slightly higher in the MOR-1 and MOR-2+ groups (10 and 11 days) compared with the MOR-0 cohort (9 days, p = 0.005). Incomplete cytoreduction, ASA class 4, and male gender were associated with increased mortality on unadjusted analysis; however, their impact on OS was attenuated on multivariable analysis. MOR was not associated with OS based on these data (MOR-1: HR 1.67, 95% CI 0.59-4.74; MOR-2+ : HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.22-2.69).

CONCLUSIONS

MOR was not associated with an increase in major complications or worse OS in patients undergoing CRS/HIPEC for MPM and should be considered, if necessary, to achieve complete cytoreduction for MPM patients.

Two-Stage Cytoreductive Surgery and Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Diffuse Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma: Predictors of Overall Survival in an Intention-to-Treat Series

PURPOSE

Cytoreductive surgery with intraoperative hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy is standard of care for diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (DMPM), but there is variability among institutions in the administration of adjuvant chemotherapy. Characterization of the largest series of DMPM patients treated at a single institution and identification of the demographic, disease, and treatment factors associated with overall survival were sought.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All DMPM patients who underwent initial cytoreductive surgery with the intention to undergo intraperitoneal chemotherapy and a second-look operation from 1995 to 2016 at our institution were retrospectively reviewed. The primary endpoint was overall survival.

RESULTS

A total of 204 DMPM patients underwent initial cytoreduction. Median overall survival was 32 months from initial cytoreduction. Independent baseline prognostic factors of improved overall survival were female sex, age < 60 years, and epithelioid histology. Independent treatment factors associated with improved overall survival were attempted resection at initial operation, residual disease < 0.5 cm at the end of the initial operation, and dwell intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Cytoreductive surgery with intraoperative and dwell intraperitoneal chemotherapy is a feasible approach for DMPM. Expanded access to these therapies may offer benefit to a larger population of patients. Demographic and operative parameters associated with overall survival in this large cohort are consistent with previous reports. In the context of this treatment protocol, dwell intraperitoneal chemotherapy is associated with longer overall survival.

Morbidity and Mortality Rates Following Cytoreductive Surgery Combined With Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy Compared With Other High-Risk Surgical Oncology Procedures

IMPORTANCE

Currently, rates of referral of patients with peritoneal metastasis in the United States who qualify for cytoreductive surgery combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) are low, in part because of the misperception of high morbidity and mortality rates. However, patients requiring major gastrointestinal surgical procedures with similar complication rates are routinely referred.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the relative safety of CRS/HIPEC.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Retrospective cohort study of 34 114 patients who underwent CRS/HIPEC, right lobe hepatectomy, trisegmental hepatectomy, pancreaticoduodenectomy, and esophagectomy between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2015, included in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Project (NSQIP) database. Data analysis was performed in 2018.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Data from the NSQIP database were used to compare perioperative and 30-day postoperative morbidity and mortality rates of CRS/HIPEC (1822 patients) with other, well-accepted, high-risk surgical oncology procedures: right lobe hepatectomy (5109 patients), trisegmental hepatectomy (2449 patients), pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple) (16 793 patients), and esophagectomy (7941 patients).

RESULTS

For 34 114 patients, median (interquartile range [IQR]) age was 63 (55-71) years and 42% were female. Patients undergoing CRS/HIPEC tended to be younger, with a median age of 57 years, and esophagectomy had the highest median (IQR) American Society of Anesthesiologists classification (3 [3-3]). When compared with CRS/HIPEC, higher complication rates were reported in the following categories: (1) superficial incisional infection in Whipple and esophagectomy (5.4% [95% CI, 4.4%-6.4%] vs 9.7% [95% CI, 9.3%-10.1%] and 7.2% [95% CI, 6.6%-7.8%], respectively; P < .001); (2) deep incisional infection in Whipple (1.7% [95% CI, 1.1%-2.3%] vs 2.7% [95% CI, 2.5%-2.9%]; P < .01); (3) organ space infection in right lobe hepatectomy (7.2% [95% CI, 6.0%-8.4%] vs 9.0% [95% CI, 8.2%-9.8%]; P = .02), trisegmental hepatectomy (12.4% [95% CI, 11.1%-13.7%]; P < .001), and Whipple (12.9% [95% CI, 12.4%-13.4%]; P < .001); and (4) return to the operating room for esophagectomy (6.8% [95% CI, 5.6%-8.0%] vs 14.4% [95% CI, 13.6%-15.2%]; P < .001). Median (IQR) length of hospital stay was lower in CRS/HIPEC (8 [5-11] days) than Whipple (10 [7-15] days) and esophagectomy (10 [8-16] days) (P < .001). Overall 30-day mortality was lower in CRS/HIPEC (1.1%; 95% CI, 0.6%-1.6%) compared with Whipple (2.5%; 95% CI, 2.3%-2.7%), right lobe hepatectomy (2.9%; 95% CI, 2.4%-3.4%), esophagectomy (3.0%; 95% CI, 2.6%-3.4%), and trisegmental hepatectomy (3.9%; 95% CI, 3.1%-4.7%) (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Comparative analysis revealed CRS/HIPEC to be safe, often safer across the spectrum of NSQIP safety metrics when compared with similar-risk oncologic procedures. Patient selection was important in achieving observed outcomes. High complication rates are a misperception from early CRS/HIPEC experience and should no longer deter referral of patients to experienced centers or impede clinical trial development in the United States.