Pseudomyxoma peritonei: a review of 17 cases

To evaluate the various presentations, causes and management of Pseudomyxoma Peritonei [PMP], and to create awareness among young surgeons regarding its importance. Retrospective study from Jan. 1999 to Dec. 2005. Surgical Unit of Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar and Gynaecology and Obstetrics Unit, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar. All patients who had Pseudomyxoma Peritonei during the study period. The clinical records of all patients undergoing laparotomy for various causes were reviewed and cases of PMP separated. Their biodata, clinical presentation, clinical diagnosis, investigation results, operative findings, histopathology report and outcome were recorded. Out of 23,573 cases that underwent laparotomy 17 cases of PMP were on record. All were diagnosed incidentally per-operatively. Most [47.05%] cases were seen in the age group of 30-40 years and 58.82% patients were females. Abdominal pain, mass, abdominal distension and intestinal obstruction were the common presenting features. Ultrasound and CT scan reported three cases as ovarian cysts, three as multiple encysted fluid collections with thin cyst walls, two as ascites, two as ascites with peritoneal thickening, but none as PMP. Surgery was the mainstay of treatment. Appendicectomy with clearing of mucin in 11[64.70%], oophorechtomy and appendicectomy in 3[17.64%], bilateral oophorechtomy and hysterectomy in 2[11.76%], right hemi-colectomy in 1[5.88%] and second look surgery for complications were done in 2[11.76%] cases. Mortality was 11.76% and due to complication including one due to intestinal obstruction and another due to septicemia following second look surgery. Histopathological tissue diagnosis was available in only 13 cases and included mucinous adenoma appendix in five, mucinous cystadenoma ovary in three, mucinous epithelial cells of unknown origin in four and mucinous cystadenoma of borderline malignancy in one case. PMP is under reported in our setup. Pre-operative diagnosis is difficult and incidental findings usually go unnoticed due to lack of awareness and standard management protocol. There is a need to create awareness among surgeons, radiologists, pathologist and oncologist regarding this condition for the better outcome