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

Lactate Levels and Their Relation to Surgical Site Infections in Patients Undergoing Cytoreductive Surgery with Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy

Introduction: Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) face a high risk of morbidity. Surgical site infections (SSIs) are among the main contributors to this issue. This relation is influenced not only by the effects of major surgical resections but also by the hemodynamic changes induced by HIPEC. Although elevated lactate levels (LL) have been associated with greater complication rates in CRS-HIPEC patients, their direct association with the development of SSIs has not been thoroughly investigated. Methods: Patients who underwent CRS + HIPEC were retrospectively reviewed. Pre-operative demographic data, hemodynamic parameters and records, transfusion records, and all post-operative follow-up and treatment records were analyzed. Patients were categorized into SSI+ and SSI-. Factors contributing to SSI development were examined using regression analysis. Results: A total of 110 patients who underwent CRS + HIPEC between January 2018 and December 2021 were included in the study. LL obtained at intensive care unit (ICU) admission were greater in patients who developed SSIs (p = 0.020). Cutoff point for ICU admission LL in diagnosing SSI was ≥6 mmol/L (area under the curve: 0.640 [0.526-0.753], p = 0.020). SSI development (23% vs. 50%, p = 0.003) was more prevalent in patients with lactate values ≥6 mmol/L. In multi-variable analysis, LL ≥6 mmol/L (odds ratio [OR]: 4.614, p = 0.005) and clean-contaminated wounds (OR: 27.677, p = 0.002) were related with increased SSI development. Conclusion: In patients with PC, LL of 6 mmol/L or greater during the ICU stay have been associated with SSI development. For this high-risk patient subgroup, a readily available peri-operative parameter such as lactate may guide prophylactic antibiotic selection. However, despite its high specificity, the low sensitivity of our findings should be carefully considered before clinical decision-making. Further studies analyzing larger, more homogeneous cohorts are needed to better clarify the relation between LL, SSI development, and prophylactic antibiotic use.

Nursing care for cytoreduction and hyperthermic intraoperative chemotherapy in an Intensive Care Unit: a scoping review

OBJECTIVE

To map postoperative nursing care for critically ill adult and older patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit after cytoreduction surgery with hyperthermic intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

METHOD

TScoping review according to the JBI methodology, with articles extracted from databases and gray literature, with no language or publica-tion date delimitation. The studies selection and results extraction process was carried out by two independent reviewers, using the soft-ware EndNote® and Rayyan®. PRISMA Extension for Scoping Review was used for the writing, with registration on the Open Science Framework.

RESULTS

Forty-two studies were selected. The analysis revealed 72 types of care grouped into 14 care areas. The use of an epidural catheter for anal-gesia, optimization of individualized hemodynamic status, and strict control of fluid balance were the most cited care measures.

CONCLUSION

The mapping identified post-operative nursing care similar to those for major surgeries for patients recovering in the Intensive Care Unit, with an indication of the use of personal protective equipment by professionals when handling tubes in the first 48 hours of admission.

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.

Imaging of pre- and post-cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for pediatric intraperitoneal malignancy

Although rare, pediatric peritoneal carcinomatosis does occur in primary abdominopelvic tumors. Additionally, peritoneal carcinomatosis has been described to occur as metastatic disease where the primary tumor is outside the abdominopelvic cavity. Where amenable, cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) can be beneficial in disease management. However, favorable outcomes are predicated on specific tumor histology as well as proper patient selection, which significantly relies on preoperative imaging. This review gives a comprehensive, up-to-date summary on pediatric peritoneal carcinomatosis pre-surgical evaluation; where imaging is beneficial and limited; pediatric radiologists' role in helping to quantify disease; and how we, as pediatric radiologists, can help the surgeons and oncologists in the selection of patients for cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC.

Predictive value of C-reactive protein levels for the early and later detection of postoperative complications after cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC

Synopsis

C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cells and procalcitonin (PCT) participate in the systemic response to inflammation and increase after postoperative infective complications. Postoperative complications after CRS and HIPEC could be predicted using the CRP cut-off value (169 mg/L at PODs 3-5 and 62 mg/L at PODs 7-10).

Background

Postoperative elevation of C-reactive protein (CRP) can be used in order to predict the postoperative complications in many indications. Cytoreduction surgery (CRS) associated with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is associated with high morbidity.

Objectives

The aim of the study was to demonstrate the CRP predictive value for the occurrence of complications.

Methods

All patients who had CRS and HIPEC, regardless of the origin of peritoneal metastasis, were included in this retrospective study. Postoperative complications and CRP and white blood cell (WBC) counts were recorded from postoperative day (POD) 1 through 10.

Results

Among the 127 patients included, 58 (45.7%) had no complications (NCs), 53 (41.7%) had infective complications (ICs), and 16 (12.6%) had non-infective complications (NICs). The IC group had a higher CRP value than the NC group, which was statistically significant from POD7 to POD10 (41.1 versus 107.5 p = 0.023 and 77.8 versus 140 p = 0.047, respectively). A cut-off CRP value was 169 mg/L at PODs 3-5 and 62 mg/L at PODs 7-10. The area under the curve (AUC) at POD5 was 0.56 versus 0.76 at POD7, p=0.007. The sensibility, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of these cut-offs were 55%, 83%, 74% and 67%, respectively. Moreover, 17 patients (32%) with ICs had a CRP value higher than these cut-offs before the diagnosis was made by the medical team.

Conclusion

This study suggested that postoperative complications could be predicted using the CRP cut-off value on PODs 3-5 (169 mg/l) and PODs 7-10 (62 mg/l) after CRS and HIPEC.

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.

The Impact of Multidisciplinary Team Approach on Cytoreductive Surgery with Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Peritoneal Carcinomatosis

BACKGROUND

Cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS-HIPEC) is a therapeutic approach used to achieve curative treatment in intra-abdominal malignancy with peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC). However, it is a complicated procedure with high post-operative complication rates. Thus, we analyzed our preliminary data to establish whether multidisciplinary teamwork (MDT) implementation is beneficial for CRS-HIPEC outcomes.

METHOD

A series of 132 consecutive patients with synchronous or recurrent PC secondary to gastrointestinal or gynecologic cancer who received CRS-HIPEC operation between May 2015 and September 2017 were included. Ninety-nine patients were categorized into the MDT group, with the 33 other patients into the non-MDT group.

RESULTS

The mean PCI score was 16.3 ± 8.8. Patients in the MDT group more often presented a higher PCI score (p value = 0.038). Regarding CRS completeness (CCR 0-1), it was distributed 81.8% and 57.6% in the MDT and the non-MDT group, respectively (p value = 0.005). Although post-operative complications were common (n = 62, 47.0%), post-operative complication rates did not differ between the two groups. The cumulative OS survival rate at the first year was 75.5%. Older age (p = 0.030, HR = 4.58, 95% CI = 1.16-18.10), ECOG 2 (p = 0.030, HR = 6.41, 95% CI = 1.20-34.14), and incomplete cytoreduction (p = 0.048, HR = 2.79, 95% CI = 1.04-8.27) were independent prognostic factors for survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Our experience suggests that the CRS-HIPEC performed under MDT cooperation may result in higher complete cytoreduction rates without increasing post-operative complications and hospital mortalities.

Cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for peritoneal metastasis of non-primary origin

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to analyze the role of cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy that has developed in the treatment of patients with peritoneal metastasis of non-primary origin.

METHODS

Patients who underwent treatment for secondary gastrointestinal and ovarian malignancies over a 20-year period were reviewed. Survival curves were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier product limit method and the log-rank test was used to assess differences between subgroups.

RESULTS

The study included 293 patients. The most common histology was ovarian cancer (56.3%). Median PCI was 16 and CC0-1 resection was obtained in 88.1% of cases. Grade III and IV complications occurred in 12 patients (4.1%) and 47 patients (16%), respectively. The 30- and 60-day mortality rate was 1.3% (4 patients) and 2.4% (7 patients). Five-year OS was 21.7%, 73.6%, 42.1%, and 0 for colorectal, appendiceal, ovarian, and gastric cancer (p =  < 0.0001), respectively, whereas 5-year DFS was 12.4%, 48.4%, 24.3%, and 0 (p =  < 0.0001), respectively. Survival outcomes were significantly higher for CC0 in each subgroup of patients.

CONCLUSION

Despite being a complex procedure, cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy should be considered a safe treatment with acceptable postoperative morbidity and mortality rates, if performed in high-volume centers. Good survival outcomes have been increasingly obtained in selected patients with peritoneal metastasis of non-primary origin.

Cytoreductive Surgery with Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Peritoneal Carcinomatosis from Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: A 20-Year Single-Center Experience

Despite improvement in treatments, the peritoneum remains the primary site of relapse in most ovarian cancer cases. Patients who underwent cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for peritoneal carcinomatosis from epithelial ovarian cancer were reviewed. Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariate Cox analyses were used to identify survival rates and prognostic factors. This study included 158 patients. The procedure was mostly performed for recurrent disease (46.8%) and high-grade serous carcinoma (58.2%). The median peritoneal cancer index was 14, and complete cytoreduction was obtained in 87.9% of cases. Grade IV morbidity occurred in 15.2% of patients, mostly requiring surgical reoperation, and one patient (0.6%) died within 90 days. The median follow-up was 63.5 months. The Kaplan-Meier 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 42.1% and 24.3%, respectively. Multiple regression logistic analyses demonstrated that the completeness of cytoreduction (CC) score (p ≤ 0.0001), pancreatic resection (p ≤ 0.0001) and number of resections (p = 0.001) were significant factors influencing OS; whereas the CC score (p ≤ 0.0001) and diaphragmatic procedures (p = 0.01) were significant for DFS. The addition of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy to standard multimodality therapy may improve outcomes in both primary and recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer without impairing early postoperative results, but the exact timing has not yet been established. Prospective randomized studies will clarify the role and indications of this approach.

Feasibility of diaphragmatic interventions in cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for peritoneal carcinomatosis: A 20-year experience

INTRODUCTION

Complete cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy is an effective treatment for improving prognosis of selected patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis. The addiction of diaphragmatic procedures may increase the incidence of postoperative respiratory complications. Our goal was to evaluate the early postoperative results following diaphragmatic surgery.

METHODS

Prospectively collected data of patients undergoing diaphragmatic surgery between January 2000 and January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Chest drains were routinely placed in all cases. Demographics, clinical and perioperative features were evaluated.

RESULTS

The study included 222 patients. Peritoneal stripping and full-thickness resections were performed in 165 and 57 cases, respectively. Women and ovarian tumours represented the vast majority of cases. Overall postoperative mortality and morbidity rates were 1.3% (3 patients) and 43.2% (96 patients), respectively. Specific diaphragmatic surgery-related complications was 9.4% (21 patients). No pleural effusion and pneumothotrax occurred. The incidence of pneumonia was 1.8% (4 patients), each due to systemic bacterial origin, 2 (0.9%) of which required Intensive Care Unit-readmission. Postoperative bleeding was observed in 15 (6.7%) cases, 12 (5.4%) of which required reoperation. A comparison with 105 patients who operated during the same period without diaphragmatic surgery was performed and by multivariate analysis, Peritoneal Cancer Index, histology and overall morbidity resulted significantly associated with diaphragmatic surgery.

CONCLUSION

Diaphragmatic surgery during cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy is often required in order to obtain complete resection. It may be associated with higher postoperative morbidity, especially bleeding, but routine placement of chest drains may reduce the incidence of adverse respiratory events.

Guidelines for Perioperative Care in Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS) with or without hyperthermic IntraPEritoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC): Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS®) Society Recommendations - Part I: Preoperative and intraoperative management

BACKGROUND

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways have been shown to considerably reduce complications, length of stay and costs after most of surgical procedures by standardised application of best evidence-based perioperative care. The aim was to elaborate dedicated recommendations for cytoreductive surgery (CRS) ± hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in a two-part series of guidelines based on expert consensus. The present part I of the guidelines highlights preoperative and intraoperative management.

METHODS

The core group assembled a multidisciplinary panel of 24 experts involved in peritoneal surface malignancy surgery representing the fields of general surgery (n = 12), gynaecological surgery (n = 6), and anaesthesia (n = 6). Experts systematically reviewed and summarized the available evidence on 72 identified perioperative care items, following the GRADE (grading of recommendations, assessment, development, evaluation) system. Final consensus (defined as ≥50%, or ≥70% of weak/strong recommendations combined) was reached by a standardised 2-round Delphi process, regarding the strength of recommendations.

RESULTS

Response rates were 100% for both Delphi rounds. Quality of evidence was evaluated high, moderate low and very low, for 15 (21%), 26 (36%), 29 (40%) and 2 items, respectively. Consensus was reached for 71/72(98.6%) items. Strong recommendations were defined for 37 items, No consensus could be reached regarding the preemptive use of fresh frozen plasma.

CONCLUSION

The present ERAS recommendations for CRS±HIPEC are based on a standardised expert consensus process providing clinicians with valuable guidance. There is an urgent need to produce high quality studies for CRS±HIPEC and to prospectively evaluate recommendations in clinical practice.

Benchmarking Perioperative Outcomes of Cytoreductive Surgery for Cancer: Implications for Quality Measurement

BACKGROUND

Understanding variation and heterogeneity in practice patterns allows programs to develop effective strategies to improve patient outcomes. Cytoreductive surgery is a potentially highly morbid operation that could benefit from systematic assessments directed towards quality improvement. We describe the hospital-level variation and benchmarks for programs performing cytoreductive surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Cytoreductive and tumor debulking operations with or without hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy performed for cancer between January 1, 2013 and June 30, 2018 were identified in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program registry. Risk-adjusted hospital-level variation in 30-day death, serious morbidity, reoperation, readmission, and a composite of death or serious morbidity (DSM) were evaluated using hierarchical models. National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer center (NCI-CC) status was also explored.

RESULTS

A total of 6203 operations across 589 hospitals were included, of which 56 were at NCI-CCs. Unadjusted rates of death, serious morbidity, reoperation, readmission, and DSM were 1.4%, 12.9%, 3.6%, 8.6%, and 13.4%, respectively. The coefficients of variation for hospital-level performance were 4.7%, 2.1%, 4.6%, 14.4%, and 1.0% for DSM, death, serious morbidity, unplanned reoperation, and unplanned readmissions, respectively. When compared with other hospitals, NCI-CCs had better risk-adjusted 30-day mortality (median odds ratio 0.984 versus 0.998, p < 0.001), but not for the other outcomes studied.

CONCLUSIONS

Hospital-level variation was modestly detected using the usual measures of perioperative outcomes. Given the increasing interest in cytoreductive surgery, we demonstrate a clear opportunity to not only improve the quality of our care but to also better improve the way quality is measured for these patients.

Systemic inflammatory markers for the detection of infectious complications and safe discharge after cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC

INTRODUCTION

Cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS + HIPEC) in patients with ovarian peritoneal carcinomatosis may be associated with a high postoperative morbidity. An early discrimination of postoperative complications is crucial for both improving clinical outcomes and proposing a safe discharge.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In a cohort of 122 patients with advanced ovarian cancer (FIGO III-IV), we analyzed the diagnostic performance of three systemic inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, white blood cell count and systemic immune-inflammation index) between the 5th to 8th postoperative days to prediction postoperative infectious complications. An optimal cut-off value was established in order to discriminate between the group of patients who developed infectious complications or not during the postoperative period.

RESULTS

The median peritoneal carcinomatosis index (PCI) was 15. The overall infectious morbidity was 25.4% (31 patients out of 122), of which, 32% (10 patients out of 31) had suffered severe postoperative complications (Dindo-Clavien III-IV). The most accurate results for detecting infectious complications were obtained by using C-reactive protein, which presented an excellent diagnostic performance, especially on the 7th and 8th postoperative days (AUC = 0,857 and 0,920; respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

These results support that it is safe to discharge patients with C-reactive protein concentrations lower than 88 mg/L and 130 mg/L, on the 7th and 8th postoperative days, respectively.

Perioperative management and postoperative outcome of patients undergoing cytoreduction surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy

Background and Aims

The existence of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) as a multidisciplinary approach for peritoneal cancer gains acceptance in many countries including Saudi Arabia. The aim of our study is to describe the perioperative management of patients who received CRS/HIPEC and to report their outcomes and complications at our tertiary centre.

Methods

The preoperative characteristics, surgical variables, perioperative management, postoperative course and outcomes of 38 CRS/HIPEC patients were prospectively collected and analysed.

Results

The mean age of our patients was 52 years, and 23 (60.5%) of them were females. The overall postoperative mortality was 42.1%. Univariate analyses of risk factors for deaths after HIPEC demonstrated that low preoperative (haemoglobin, potassium, calcium and albumin), high (tumour marker (CA19.9), intraoperative transfusion of human plasma protein (HPP), colloids, postoperative activated partial thromboplastin time and bacterial infections were potential risk factors for patient's mortality. Multivariate analysis of those variables demonstrated that low preoperative calcium [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.116; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.033-0.407; P = 0.001], high intraoperative HPP transfusion (HR = 1.004; 95% CI = 1.001-1.003; P = 0.012) and presence of postoperative bacterial infection (HR = 5.987; 95% CI = 1.009-35.54; P = 0.049) were independent predictors of patient's death. Seventy morbidities happened after HIPEC; only bacterial infection independently predicted postoperative mortality.

Conclusion

To improve postoperative outcome of CRS/HIPEC, optimisation of transfusion, temperature, electrolytes and using broader-spectrum prophylaxis to manage postoperative infections should be warranted.

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.

A proposal of Brazilian Society of Surgical Oncology (BSSO/SBCO) for standardizing cytoreductive surgery (CRS) plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) procedures in Brazil: pseudomixoma peritonei, appendiceal tumors and malignant peritoneal mesothelioma

Cytoreductive surgery plus hypertermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy has emerged as a major comprehensive treatment of peritoneal malignancies and is currently the standard of care for appendiceal epithelial neoplasms and pseudomyxoma peritonei syndrome as well as malignant peritoneal mesothelioma. Unfortunately, there are some worldwide variations of the cytoreductive surgery and hypertermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy techniques since no single technique has so far demonstrated its superiority over the others. Therefore, standardization of practices might enhance better comparisons between outcomes. In these settings, the Brazilian Society of Surgical Oncology considered it important to present a proposal for standardizing cytoreductive surgery plus hypertermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy procedures in Brazil, with a special focus on producing homogeneous data for the developing Brazilian register for peritoneal surface malignancies.

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.

Impact of tigecycline versus imipenem-cilastatin on fibrinogen levels following cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC): a randomized-controlled study

The aim of this prospective, randomized study was to compare the effects of tigecycline and imipenem-cilastatin on fibrinogen levels in patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). Patients were empirically randomized to receive tigecycline or imipenem-cilastatin. Fibrinogen levels were measured in both patient groups on days 1, 3, 5 and 8 of antibiotic therapy and 3 days after antibiotic therapy completion. Twenty patients received tigecycline and 22 patients received imipenem-cilastatin . Patients in the tigecycline group had lower mean fibrinogen levels compared to those in the imipenem-cilastatin group on day 3 (4.1 ± 1.2 vs. 5.9 ± 1.3 g/L; p < 0.001), day 5 (3.7 ± 1.2 vs. 6.5 ± 1.1 g/L; p < 0.001), day 8 (3.5 ± 1.3 vs. 5.8 ± 1.6 g/L; p < 0.001), and day 3 after antibiotic completion (4.1 ± 1.4 vs. 6.1 ± 1.6 g/L; p < 0.001). In conclusion, compared to imipenem-cilastatin, tigecycline was associated with a significant decrease in fibrinogen levels, following CRS and HIPEC.

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.

Increased RHAMM expression relates to ovarian cancer progression

BACKGROUND

Elevated hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor (RHAMM) has been reported to contribute to disease progression, aggressive phenotype and poor prognosis in multiple cancer types, however, RHAMM's role in ovarian cancer (OC) has not been elucidated. Therefore, we sought to evaluate the role for RHAMM in epithelial OC.

RESULTS

Despite little to no expression in normal ovarian surface epithelium, western immunoblotting, immunohistochemical staining and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay showed elevated RHAMM levels in clinical tissue sections, omental metastasis and urine specimens of serous OC patients, as well as in cell lysates. We also found that RHAMM levels increase with increasing grade and stage in serous OC tissues and that RHAMM localizes to the apical cell surface and inclusion cysts. Apical localization of RHAMM suggested protein secretion which was validated by detection of significantly elevated urinary RHAMM levels (p < 0.0001) in OC patients (116.66 pg/mL) compared with normal controls (8.16 pg/mL). Likewise, urinary RHAMM levels decreased following cytoreductive surgery in OC patients suggesting the source of urinary RHAMM from tumor tissue. Lastly, we validated RHAMM levels in OC cell lysate and found at least 12× greater levels compared to normal ovarian surface epithelial cells.

CONCLUSION

This pilot study shows, for the first time, that RHAMM may contribute to OC disease and could potentially be used as a prognostic marker.

Abdominal Wall Morbidity Following Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

Incisional hernia formation has been reported as high as 20% within 1 year following midline laparotomy. Since hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy is likely to impair wound healing, we sought to investigate the incidence of incisional hernia formation and abdominal wall rupture following cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with radiographic evidence of peritoneal metastases were scheduled for cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy at the Comprehensive Cancer Center, University Hospital Tuebingen, Germany. Clinical data were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

Between May 2005 and May 2014, 271 patients underwent cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Within follow-up, 19 (7%) incisional hernias and 11 (4%) abdominal wall ruptures were observed. Age ⩾70 years, cardio-pulmonary comorbidity, the presence of pseudomyxoma peritonei or mesothelioma, and postoperative abdominal wall rupture were detected as risk factors for hernia formation. However, Cox multivariate analysis only confirmed the presence of pseudomyxoma peritonei or mesothelioma and postoperative abdominal wall rupture as independent risk factors.

CONCLUSION

Our data do not suggest that cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy is necessarily associated with a higher incidence of incisional hernia formation. However, patients suffering from pseudomyxoma peritonei or mesothelioma and patients with postoperative abdominal wall rupture seem to be at risk for developing incisional herniation.

Perioperative systemic therapy for resectable colorectal peritoneal metastases: Sufficient evidence for its widespread use? A critical systematic review

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Despite its widespread use, no randomised studies have investigated the value of perioperative systemic therapy as adjunct to cytoreduction and HIPEC for colorectal peritoneal metastases. This systematic review evaluated the available evidence, which consists of non-randomised studies only.

METHODS

A systematic search identified studies that investigated the influence of neoadjuvant, adjuvant, or perioperative systemic therapy on overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

The 11 included studies (n=1708) were clinically heterogeneous and subject to selection bias. Studies on neoadjuvant systemic therapy revealed OS benefit (n=3), no OS benefit (n=1), and superiority of chemotherapy with bevacizumab vs. chemotherapy (n=2). Studies on adjuvant systemic therapy showed no OS benefit (n=3). Studies on perioperative systemic therapy demonstrated OS benefit (n=1), and superiority of modern vs. conventional systemic therapy(n=1).

CONCLUSION

Significant limitations of available evidence question the widespread use of perioperative systemic therapy in this setting, stress the need for randomised studies, and impede conclusions regarding optimal timing and regimens. Included studies may suggest a survival benefit of neoadjuvant systemic therapy.

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.

Multimodality treatment strategies have changed prognosis of peritoneal metastases

For a long time, treatment of peritoneal metastases (PM) was mostly palliative and thus, this status was link with “terminal status/despair”. The current multimodal treatment strategy, consisting of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), has been strenuously achieved over time, but seems to be the best treatment option for PM patients. As we reviewed the literature data, we could emphasize some milestones and also, controversies in the history of proposed multimodal treatment and thus, outline the philosophy of this approach, which seems to be an unusual one indeed. Initially marked by nihilism and fear, but benefiting from a remarkable joint effort of human and material resources (multi-center and -institutional research), over a period of 30 years, CRS and HIPEC found their place in the treatment of PM. The next 4 years were dedicated to the refinement of the multimodal treatment, by launching research pathways. In selected patients, with requires training, it demonstrated a significant survival results (similar to the Hepatic Metastases treatment), with acceptable risks and costs. The main debates regarding CRS and HIPEC treatment were based on the oncologists’ perspective and the small number of randomized clinical trials. It is important to statement the PM patient has the right to be informed of the existence of CRS and HIPEC, as a real treatment resource, the decision being made by multidisciplinary teams.