[Experience in transumbilical endoscopic surgery diagnosis for 3 cases of pseudomyxoma peritonei].

Three patients of pseudomyxoma peritonei who were diagnozed by transumbilical endoscopic surgery (TUES) were reviewed retrospectively from September 2014 to November 2014. Three cases of ascites patients underwent TUES were diagnozed as pseudomyxoma peritonei. All operations were successful. No open surgery or laparoscopic surgery was required. The mean operative time was (45±16) min; the mean intraoperative blood loss was 510 mL; the mean hospital stay time was 3 days. During the follow up of 911 months, no obvious scar was observed. Cosmetic results appear to be excellent. All patients were treated with intraperitoneal hyperthermia and chemotherapy. The survival rate was 100%. As a novel scarless endoscopic invasive abdominal surgery, TUES has high clinical value with the advantages such as small trauma, no scars, small risk and low cost in the diagnosis of unexplained ascites.

A Simplified Preoperative Assessment Predicts Complete Cytoreduction and Outcomes in Patients with Low-Grade Mucinous Adenocarcinoma of the Appendix.

BACKGROUND: Complete cytoreduction with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) has been shown to improve survival in patients with low-grade mucinous adenocarcinoma (LGMA). However, incomplete cytoreduction exposes patients to significant morbidity without a similar survival benefit. Preoperative assessment of the ability to achieve CRS is therefore a critical step in selecting patients for CRS/HIPEC. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to develop and validate a preoperative scoring system to accurately predict the ability to achieve complete cytoreduction in patients with LGMA of the appendix. METHODS: A simplified preoperative assessment for appendix tumor (SPAAT) score was developed based on computed tomography scan findings thought to predict incomplete cytoreduction. We applied the SPAAT score to patients with LGMA to determine the ability of the score to predict complete cytoreduction. This scoring system was then applied to a separate cohort of patients from a different institution. Sensitivity and specificity were determined for the SPAAT score. Survival was calculated and correlated with the SPAAT score and the completeness of cytoreduction score. RESULTS: A SPAAT score of <3 is a significant predictor of complete cytoreduction in the derivation cohort. In the validation cohort, 40 of 42 patients with a SPAAT score <3 achieved a complete cytoreduction, for a positive predictive value of 95.2 % and a negative predictive value of 100 %. Additionally, the SPAAT score was a significant predictor of disease-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: The SPAAT score is a useful tool in the preoperative assessment of patients with LGMA who are under consideration for cytoreductive surgery. Prospective analysis of this scoring system is warranted to appropriately select patients who will benefit from CRS/HIPEC.

Peritonectomy and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy: cost analysis and sustainability.

BACKGROUND: Malignancies of the peritoneum remain a challenge in any hospital that accepts to manage them, due not only to difficulties associated with the complexity of the procedures involved but also the costs, which - in Italy and other countries that use a diagnosis-related group (DRG) system - are not adequately reimbursed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed data relative to 24 patients operated on between September 2010 and May 2013 with special regard to operating room expenditure, ICU stay, duration of hospitalization, and DRG reimbursement. The total costs per patient included clinical, operating room, procedure, pathology, imaging, ward care, allied healthcare, pharmaceutical, and ICU costs. RESULTS: Postoperative hospital stay, drugs and materials, and operating room occupancy were the main factors affecting the expenditure for cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. We had a median hospitalization of 14 days, median ICU stay of 2.4 days, and median operating room occupancy of 585 min. The median expenditure for each case was € 21,744; the median reimbursement by the national health system € 8,375. CONCLUSIONS: In a DRG reimbursement system, the economic effort in the management of patients undergoing peritonectomy procedures may not be counterbalanced by adequate reimbursement. Joint efforts between medical and administration parties are mandatory to develop appropriate treatment protocols and keep down the costs.

[Peritoneal pseudomyxoma: an overview emphasizing pathological assessment and therapeutic strategies]. / Mise au point sur le pseudomyxome péritonéal. Aspects anatomo-pathologiques, et implications thérapeutiques.

Pseudomyxoma peritonei is a clinical entity characterized by a gelatinous ascite associated with mucinous tumor deposits spreading on peritoneal surface and potentially invading abdominal organs. It is considered as a tumor process linked, in most of cases, to a mucinous appendiceal neoplasm. Pseudomyxoma peritonei may benefit from a therapeutic strategy combining cytoreductive surgery and intra-peritoneal chemotherapy, which has led to a major prognosis improvement. Different classifications are available and the last one corresponds to the WHO 2010 version, which individualizes pseudomyxoma peritonei in two classes: low grade and high grade mucinous carcinoma. The very low frequency of this entity and its specific therapeutic strategy need specific health care centres, as well as physicians and pathologists collaborating through dedicated networks. The aim of this article is to summarize the pathology, causes, mechanisms and therapeutic approaches of pseudomyxoma peritonei, as well as their interfaces with dedicated networks.

Survey on the incidence and management of pseudomyxoma peritonei in Japan.

PURPOSE: Pseudomyxoma peritonei(PMP)is a rare condition characterized by massive ascites accumulation due to mucinous tumor dissemination in the peritoneal cavity. More recently, Sugarbaker has defined radical cytoreductive surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy as standardized therapy for PMP. The objective of this study was to investigate the incidence of PMP and the recent therapeutic approaches for this condition in Japan. METHODS: Questionnaires answered by PMP patients between 2006 and 2010 were evaluated in this study. The study included 1, 084 gastroenterological surgery and gynecology institutions in Japan. RESULTS: Data from 379 institutions were analyzed(response rate: 35. 0%). The mean number of diffuse PMP cases at a single institution in 5 years was 0. 78. Of 266 diffuse cases, surgery was performed in 232 cases(87. 2%)and chemotherapy was administered in 138 cases(51. 9%). However, complete cytoreduction was achieved in only 31 of 232 operated cases(13. 4%)and intraperitoneal chemotherapy was administered to only 45 of 138 patients receiving chemotherapy( 32. 6%). CONCLUSION: Despite the limited data, our results suggest that PMP occurs rarely in Japan, similar to the trend reported in Western countries. Further, the Sugarbaker procedure was not widely used in Japanese institutions.

Postoperative pancreatic fistula after cytoreductive surgery and perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy: incidence, risk factors, management, and clinical sequelae.

BACKGROUND: Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (PIC) has improved survival in selected patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis. This study evaluates the morbidity of postoperative pancreatic fistula (PF) within the context of CRS and PIC. METHODS: Two hundred seventy-one consecutive CRS and PIC procedures were evaluated. Diagnosis and classification of postoperative PF were performed according to the international study group on PF criteria. The associations between 8 clinical and 20 treatment-related factors with postoperative PF were determined by univariate and multivariate analysis. The management and clinical sequelae of postoperative PF were discussed. RESULTS: Seventeen patients (6.3%) developed postoperative PF. None of these patients died during their in-hospital stay. Multivariate analysis identified three independent risk factors for PF: transfusion of >or=6 units of blood (P = 0.029), operation duration of >or=9 h (P = 0.035), and splenectomy (P = 0.020). Conservative management of PF was instituted in all 17 patients and was successful in 16 (94%). The overall time to PF closure was 26 (standard deviation 16) days after diagnosis. Although PF did not contribute to procedure-related mortality, it was associated with increased length of hospital stay (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: CRS and PIC presented an acceptable rate of PF that did not increase the procedure-related mortality. However, PF was associated with longer hospital stay. Most patients with PF were treated conservatively and did not require surgical intervention.

A study to explore the patient's experience of peritoneal surface malignancies: pseudomyxoma peritonei.

Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is a rare tumour originating from the appendix and producing extensive mucus accumulation within the abdomen and pelvis. Since UK government policy reinforces the importance of involving patients in the delivery of healthcare, it is essential to explore patients views so that service development can be fully responsive to the patients need. The primary objective of this study was to explore the impact of PMP on the lives of patients. The secondary objectives were to explore the sources of psychological support for patients, the symptoms experienced and their information concerns. In-depth interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 13 patients. The interviews were tape recorded, with permission, transcribed in full and analysed for content and emerging themes. The emergent themes included significant uncertainty about the diagnosis and treatment of this rare condition. The difficulties associated with confirming an initial diagnosis and living with an uncertain prognosis were highlighted. Patients' choice and access to support by a specialist team were important themes. The data highlighted the particular needs of this under-researched patient group and provided evidence to further develop patient support, particularly using the Internet.