Outcomes after pancreaticoduodenectomy with or without preoperative hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Background: Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy is an alternative method against the deleterious effects of ischemic/reperfusion (I/R) injury and its inflammatory response. This study assessed the effect of preoperative HBO2 on patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy. Study Design: Patients were randomized via a computer-generated algorithm. Patients in the HBO2 cohort received two sessions of HBO2 the evening before and the morning of surgery. Measurements of inflammatory mediators and self-assessed pain scales were determined pre-and postoperatively. In addition, perioperative variables and long-term survival were collected and analyzed. Data are presented as median (mean ± SD). Results: 33 patients were included; 17 received preoperative HBO2, and 16 did not. There were no intraoperative or postoperative statistical differences between patients with or without preoperative HBO2. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), IL-6, and IL-10 increased slightly before returning to normal, while TGF-alpha decreased before increasing. However, there were no differences with or without HBO2. At postoperative day 30, the pain level measured with VAS score (Visual Analog Score) was lower after HBO2 (1 ± 1.3 vs. 3 ± 3.0, p=0.05). Eleven (76%) patients in the HBO2 cohort and 12 (75%) patients in the non- HBO2 had malignant pathology. The percentage of positive lymph nodes in the HBO2 was 7% compared to 14% in the non-HBO2 (p<0.001). Overall survival was inferior after HBO2 compared to the non- HBO2 (p=0.03). Conclusions: Preoperative HBO2 did not affect perioperative outcomes or significantly change the inflammatory mediators for patients undergoing robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy. Long-term survival was inferior after preoperative HBO2. Further randomized controlled studies are required to assess the full impact of this treatment on patients' prognosis.

[CYTOREDUCTIVE SURGERY AND HYPERTHERMIC INTRAPERITONEAL CHEMOTHERAPY FOR PERITONEAL CARCINOMATOSIS OF COLORECTAL ORIGIN - FIRST 100 CASES].

BACKGROUND: Cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) is an effective treatment for selected patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis of colorectal origin. We present our experience with the first 100 consecutive cases of this combined treatment. METHODS: CRS/HIPEC procedures were performed between 4/2009-8/2016. HIPEC was initially delivered using the "Open" abdomen technique; beginning in January 2014, HIPEC was delivered using the "Closed" technique. As a chemotherapeutic agent we used Mitomycin-C, perfused for duration of 90 minutes at 41 degrees Celsius. RESULTS: A total of 100 procedures were performed in 94 patients (64% females, median age 62 (22-83) years) with colon (n=89) or rectal (n=5) cancer. Complete cytoreduction (CC score≤1) was achieved in 91 procedures. The average duration of surgery was 7.5±2.3 hours, the median number of organs resected was 2 (0-6) and the median length of hospital stay was 9 (5-101) days. Postoperative complications occurred in 54% of procedures and the incidence of major complications (Clavien-Dindo 3-4) was 12%. Three patients (3%) died within 90 days postoperatively. Higher peritoneal cancer index (PCI) score, higher number of organs resected/anastomoses created and longer duration of surgery were associated with perioperative morbidity (all p≤0.05). The median follow-up period was 2.1 years during which 50 patients died. The median overall survival (OS) and disease free survival were 3.1 years and 10.7 months, respectively; 7 patients survived ≥5 years after surgery. Higher PCI score and occurrence of major postoperative complications were associated with poorer OS. CONCLUSIONS: CRS/HIPEC for peritoneal carcinomatosis of colorectal cancer origin is feasible and safe. This treatment may benefit selected patients in terms of OS.

Hospital readmission rates and risk factors for readmission following cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for peritoneal surface malignancies.

BACKGROUND: Cytoreductive surgery and Hyperthermic intra-peritoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) for peritoneal surface malignancies is associated with high morbidity. The increased numbers of patients undergoing CRS/HIPEC in recent years mandates risk analysis and quality assurance. However, only scarce data exist regarding causative parameters for readmission. The aim of this study was to assess readmission rates and risk factors associated with readmission. METHODS: A retrospective-cohort study including patients from two high-volume centers who underwent CRS/HIPEC surgery between the years 2007-2016 was performed. Patients' demographics, peri-operative data and readmission rates were recorded. RESULTS: 223 patients were included in the study. The 7 and 30-day readmission rates were 3.5% (n = 8) and 11% (n = 25), respectively. Late readmission rates (up to 90 days) were 11% (n = 25). The most common causes of readmission were surgical related infections (35%), small bowel obstruction (17.5%) and dehydration (14%). Post-operative complications were associated with higher readmission rates (p = 0.0001). PCI score was not associated with higher rates of readmission. CONCLUSION: Readmissions following CRS/HIPEC occur mainly due to infectious complications and dehydrations. Patients following CRS/HIPEC should be discharged after careful investigation to a community based continuing care with access for IV fluid replacement or antibiotics administration when required.