M. Robella

Iterative procedures combining cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for isolated peritoneal recurrence

Abstract Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyse feasibility, morbidity and outcome of repeat complete cytoreductive surgery (CRS) plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). CRS combined with HIPEC is becoming the gold standard treatment for resectable peritoneal carcinomatosis in highly selected patients. As yet treatment of isolated peritoneal recurrence with iterative CRS and HIPEC has not been thoroughly explored. Materials and methods: We selected 16 patients presenting isolated peritoneal recurrence who had undergone iterative CRS and HIPEC from a dataset of 322 CRS associated with HIPEC performed between 1996 and 2012. Results: Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) was due to colorectal and ovarian cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP). Disease-free survival (DFS) was 13 months after the first procedure and 13.7 months after the second one. Overall morbidity rate was 43.7% (7/16) for all patients, with grade III–IV complications in three patients (18.7%). Conclusions: Iterative procedures combining cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC are feasible with acceptable morbidity and mortality rates in strictly selected patients. DFS following repeated CRS and HIPEC is comparable to that registered after the first procedure.

Single-port access for Pressurized IntraPeritoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (PIPAC): technique, feasibility and safety

Abstract Background Pressurized IntraPeritoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (PIPAC) is a drug delivery system for treatment of peritoneal metastasis (PM). A limitation of this technique is the non-access rate (10–15 %) due to peritoneal adhesions. The aim of the study was to assess feasibility and safety of the single-port access technique for PIPAC. Methods Single-center, pilot study. Case series, retrospective analysis on 17 patients with PM of various origin treated with intraperitoneal cisplatin, doxorubicin and/or oxaliplatin administered as PIPAC. Single-port access was attempted in all patients by minilaparotomy. Results Twenty-nine PIPAC procedures were performed. Nine patients were subjected to 1 PIPAC, four patients to 2 PIPAC and four patients to 3 PIPAC. Access to peritoneal cavity was possible in all cases. There was no bowel access lesion. Tightness of the abdomen (CO2-flow = 0) was achieved in all cases. No postoperative complications according to CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events)>2 were observed, no re-laparotomies required and no postoperative mortality recorded. Conclusions Single port-access is feasible and safe for PIPAC. Potential advantages over multiple trocars technique are a lower non-access rate, a lower risk of bowel lesions and a better tightness of the abdomen. This has now to be confirmed in a comparative study.