Management of pseudomyxoma peritonei by cytoreduction+HIPEC (hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy): results analysis of a twelve-year experience.

BACKGROUND: Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is a rare peritoneal carcinomatosis, characterized by a slowly progressive disease process with a large amount of mucus containing occasional epithelial cells. PMP is histologically classified into disseminated peritoneal adenomucinosis (DPAM), peritoneal mucinous carcinomatosis (PMCA) and an intermediate or discordant feature group (ID). Recent studies have shown that most cases of PMP originate from ruptured appendiceal tumors with progressive dissemination in the peritoneal cavity of mucin-producing epithelial cells. Encouraging results in the treatment of PMP have been reported by surgical cytoreduction of the primitive cancer, peritonectomy (stripping of implants on the peritoneal surface) and intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemoperfusion (HIPEC). In recent trials, this combined approach has been proposed as the standard treatment for PMP. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this study, the results of twelve years single-institution experience on 60 consecutive patients affected by PMP, treated by cytoreductive surgery and the original semi-closed HIPEC technique are reported with special reference to overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). RESULTS: The postoperative morbidity rate was 45% (27 patients); surgical morbidity was observed in 19 patients and medical complications in 9 cases. No postoperative deaths were observed. The survival data, 53 patients were analized (the last 7 were considered only for the complications rate, postoperative mortality and cancer features, not for OS or PFS because they were too recent for evaluation). At the final follow-up of the 53 patients, five and ten years OS were respectively 94% and 84.6% . DFS was 80% and 70% at five and ten years respectively. The follow-up data indicated that the survival probability may be good in patients with hystological type appendicular adenoma optimally cytoreduced (CCR-0). Interestingly if preoperative chemotherapy was performed represented a negative prognostic factor with statistically significant impact both on OS and DFS. CONCLUSION: As in other similar studies, cytoreductive surgery plus HIPEC, even when combined with an aggressive surgical procedure, is associated with an acceptable risk of postoperative complications and mortality. This combined treatment results in DFS and OS rates that are not described in the literature for surgery associated with systemic chemotherapy and, in our opinion, may be considered the gold standard treatment for this rare tumor.

Cytoreduction and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in the treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis from pseudomyxoma peritonei.

AIM: To investigate the most important aspects of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) that has been accepted as the standard treatment for pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP), with special regard to morbidity, overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) over 10 years. METHODS: Fifty-three patients affected by PMP underwent cytoreduction (CCR) and HIPEC with a "semi-closed" abdomen technique in our institution. The peritonectomy procedure and completeness of CCR were classified according to Sugarbaker criteria. Preoperative evaluation always included thoracic and abdominal CT scan to stage peritoneal disease and exclude distant metastases. Fifty-one patients in our series were treated with a protocol based on administration of cisplatinum 100 mg/m(2) plus mitomycin C 16 mg/m(2), at a temperature of 41.5 degrees centigrade for 60 min. Anastomoses were always performed at the end of HIPEC. The mean duration of surgery was 12 h including HIPEC. Continuous monitoring of hepatic and renal functions and hydroelectrolytic balance was performed in the postoperative period. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients presented with postoperative complications: surgical morbidity was observed in 16 patients and 6 patients were re-operated. All complications were successfully treated and no postoperative deaths were observed. Risk factors for postoperative morbidity were considered to be gender, age, body surface, duration of surgery, Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI) and tumor residual value (CC score). No statistically significant correlation was found during the multivariate analysis: only the CC score was statistically significant. The OS in our experience was 81.8%, with a DFS of 80% at 5 years and of 70% at 10 years. CONCLUSION: In our experience, even if HIPEC combined with cytoreductive surgery involves a high risk of morbidity, postoperative complications can be resolved favorably in most cases with correct patient selection and adequate postoperative care, thus minimizing mortality. The association of CCR and HIPEC can be considered as the standard treatment for PMP. The OS and DFS results confirm the validity of this combined approach for the treatment of this rare neoplasm. The impact of preoperative chemotherapy on OS, in our opinion, is due to a major aggressiveness of tumors in treated patients.

The open abdomen in trauma and non-trauma patients: WSES guidelines.

Damage control resuscitation may lead to postoperative intra-abdominal hypertension or abdominal compartment syndrome. These conditions may result in a vicious, self-perpetuating cycle leading to severe physiologic derangements and multiorgan failure unless interrupted by abdominal (surgical or other) decompression. Further, in some clinical situations, the abdomen cannot be closed due to the visceral edema, the inability to control the compelling source of infection or the necessity to re-explore (as a "planned second-look" laparotomy) or complete previously initiated damage control procedures or in cases of abdominal wall disruption. The open abdomen in trauma and non-trauma patients has been proposed to be effective in preventing or treating deranged physiology in patients with severe injuries or critical illness when no other perceived options exist. Its use, however, remains controversial as it is resource consuming and represents a non-anatomic situation with the potential for severe adverse effects. Its use, therefore, should only be considered in patients who would most benefit from it. Abdominal fascia-to-fascia closure should be done as soon as the patient can physiologically tolerate it. All precautions to minimize complications should be implemented.

Splenic trauma: WSES classification and guidelines for adult and pediatric patients.

Spleen injuries are among the most frequent trauma-related injuries. At present, they are classified according to the anatomy of the injury. The optimal treatment strategy, however, should keep into consideration the hemodynamic status, the anatomic derangement, and the associated injuries. The management of splenic trauma patients aims to restore the homeostasis and the normal physiopathology especially considering the modern tools for bleeding management. Thus, the management of splenic trauma should be ultimately multidisciplinary and based on the physiology of the patient, the anatomy of the injury, and the associated lesions. Lastly, as the management of adults and children must be different, children should always be treated in dedicated pediatric trauma centers. In fact, the vast majority of pediatric patients with blunt splenic trauma can be managed non-operatively. This paper presents the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) classification of splenic trauma and the management guidelines.

Total plasma homocysteine and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T polymorphism in patients with colorectal carcinoma.

AIM: To investigate the behaviour of total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) and its most common genetic determinant defect, the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T (C677TMTHFR) polymorphism in patients with early stage colorectal carcinoma. METHODS: tHcy was quantified by Abbott IMx immunoassay; screening for C677TMTHFR substitution was performed by PCR and restriction analysis. RESULTS: The frequency of the C/T and T/T genotypes of the C677TMTHFR gene polymorphism did not differ between the groups. The mean tHcy was statistically higher in cancer patients than in control subjects carrying the same C/C or C/T genotype, whereas there was no difference in the T/T homozygous carriers of the two groups. tHcy was significantly higher in the T/T homozygous carriers than in C/C and C/T genotype carriers. CONCLUSION: The statistically significant increase of tHcy observed in C/C and C/T genotype carriers among our cancer patients is related to substrate consumption dependent on the tumor cell proliferation rate, whereas the tHcy increase observed in T/T genotype carriers of both groups probably depends on the enzymatic deficit of the homocysteine conversion to methionine and/or on the folate deficiency.

[Gallbladder torsion: a case report and review of the literature]. / Volvolo della colecisti: descrizione di un caso clinico e revisione della letteratura.

Gallbladder torsion is a rare but potentially life-threatening event due to its insidious course and to the gravity of the clinical picture when the diagnosis is established late. In 85% of cases this situation affects females, aged 70 to 90 years. The aetiopathogenesis is still unknown and the diagnosis is often made during surgery. A thorough review of the literature suggests a specific clinical pattern which, when combined with improvements in radiological techniques, should allow early diagnosis and treatment. Nevertheless, only 10% of cases are correctly diagnosed before surgery. The aim of this case report was to evaluate the specific pattern of this clinical picture and the accuracy of the radiological and laboratory findings for the purposes of achieving an early diagnosis and adequate treatment.

[Difficulties in diagnosing and treating GIST: report and analysis of a case]. / Difficoltà diagnostiche e terapeutiche nei GIST: nostre considerazioni su un caso clinico.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours account for fewer than 1% of malignant tumours of the digestive system. Analysing a case referred to us for observation, we review the literature with regard to diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties. A 68-year-old patient was referred to our institute with a diagnosis of "retroperitoneal haematoma". Computerised tomography showed a solid mass with a liquid component, occupying almost the whole of the abdominal cavity. An ultrasonography-guided biopsy examination suggested the presence of a sarcoma. Exploratory laparotomy and the histological examination, which was positive for CD117, CD34 and the smooth muscle marker caldesmon, allowed a diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumour to be made. Thus, no thoroughly reliable and accurate diagnosis of gastrointestinal tumour can be made without surgical exploration and consequent histological and immunohistochemical examinations that still represent the only method capable of confirming or ruling out a diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumour. Such tumours are rare and aggressive and their prognosis is closely related to tumour size and the mitotic index per high power field. Radical resection affords the only possibility of long-term survival.